Can an amplifier be harsh sounding?

[kingsxman 10+ year member]

For my front and rears I'm currently running a Profile AP1040 (75 watts x 4 rms) and I'm driving a set of Infinity Reference 5/14 components and a set of Alpine type R 6x9's. I've only had this setup for a month or so. My ears are getting a bit "fatigued" lately and I'm not sure if its possible if the power from the amp is causing it. It all sounds fine but its possible that there could be a "harshness" from the front speakers. THe rears sound fine but truthfully they are so far back that its hard to tell.

Just wondering if these "budget" amps like Profile can not be as "musical" with thier power as some nicer ones.

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[flakko 5,000+ posts]

nope its the tweets of the speakers, OR you have it eq'ed funny.

 

[engineerdude 10+ year member]

yeah.. the amplifier won't produce the harsh sound.. the amplifier only reproduces the sound.. the only way that the amp can make it harsh is if it is providing too much power.. more than likely--flakko's right

 

[kingsxman 10+ year member]

I thought maybe it was those speakers....Are Infinity's known to be harsh?

I'm wondering if i should use the -3db input on the speakers. WOuld that help? I've actually got an 11 band eq hooked up to my deck (old alpine 3331) and I dont have the highest bands much past midpoint.

 

[bikejunkie223 10+ year member]

Attenuating the tweeters will help some, but I believe those are a hard dome tweeter, and if so they are just going to be bright, and with a buch of power, they will saw your ear off like they are doing now.

 

[corto 10+ year member]

I think my front 4x6 plate's are harsh souning. Could i fit something else in there besdies plates?

 

[flakko 5,000+ posts]

Attenuating the tweeters will help some, but I believe those are a hard dome tweeter, and if so they are just going to be bright, and with a buch of power, they will saw your ear off like they are doing now.

those are refs... i thought they were silk, and the kappas were metal?

 

[Moe Lester 10+ year member]

whatever the ref tweets are, IMO they are still pretty harsh.

 

[kingsxman 10+ year member]

I think I will at some point try changing to the -3db setting on those. HOwever, I mounted the crossovers IN my door..so its a pain to take them out.