Warm Sound?

[Keiths Light]

Hello, this may seem like a newb question but can someone explain to me what people mean when they say "warm" sound. Example being when people say yamaha receivers have a warm sound to them. Thanks.

Edit: sorry, this is supposed to be in the audio theory section.

[Kryptron]

To me when i hear someone describe a sound as "warm" i think of a sound that doesn't have a lot of treble or a bright sound. It is not harsh or brittle at all. It has more emphasis on the mid frequencies then on the high frequencies. Sounds "thicker" and "smoother" overall.

*IMO.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Kryptron

To me when i hear someone describe a sound as "warm" i think of a sound that doesn't have a lot of treble or a bright sound. It is not harsh or brittle at all. It has more emphasis on the mid frequencies then on the high frequencies. Sounds "thicker" and "smoother" overall.

*IMO.

Much like the difference between Vinyl and CD. Tube amps vs. solid state. The lingering warmth of a bow crossing violin strings and remaining there ever so slightly longer. No piercing EVER of higher fequancies. When you can listen for hours without fatique.

There are probably much better examples to come....but these are just a few simple ones.

[Marcusarilius]

The above is correct. My infinity speakers have a "warm" sound to them. They do not lend to overtly shrill/high pitches. This allows for longer listening at higher volumes without experiencing ear fatigue.

[ixlegitballinxl]

i prefer bright ( klipsch )

i always think of warm as more laid back

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by ixlegitballinxl

i prefer bright ( klipsch )

i always think of warm as more laid back

What does that mean? You can have a bright speaker like a Klipsh (depending on model) still project a warm sound, can you not? I had a pair of Klipsch Heresy II Signature Edition speakers for years and they were wonderful at providing warmth, especially on classical.

For the record, I don't think that Klipsch today builds that kind of speaker anymore.

[Gremal]

Warm means polite or imprecise, veiled, the opposite of cold or analytical. We've all heard components that can't make an offensive sound and I feel that is not what sound reproduction should be about.

Someone above equated CDs with cold and vinyl with warmth, transistors with cold and tubes with warmth. I strongly disagree. Vinyl on a good rig runs the full gamut of mushy, horrible, distorted, congested, congealed warmth to incredibly precise, analytical, open and detailed. Likewise, a good tube amp to my ears sounds far more analytical than the average transistor gear available.

[Keiths Light]

Ok, thank you for the good answers. Cleared that up a but for me. Now having said this, what are some examples of speakers/receivers that provide a noticeably "warm" sound? I've heard yamaha gives this. True?

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Gremal

Warm means polite or imprecise, veiled, the opposite of cold or analytical. We've all heard components that can't make an offensive sound and I feel that is not what sound reproduction should be about.

Someone above equated CDs with cold and vinyl with warmth, transistors with cold and tubes with warmth. I strongly disagree. Vinyl on a good rig runs the full gamut of mushy, horrible, distorted, congested, congealed warmth to incredibly precise, analytical, open and detailed. Likewise, a good tube amp to my ears sounds far more analytical than the average transistor gear available.

My well-respected Sir. I wish you would clean up your answer because in one breath you negate their qualities and espouse their virtues. Which is it? You say vinyl runs the full gamet of MUSHY, HORRIBLE, DISTORTED, CONGESTED to incredibly precise, analytical (I'd love to know what that means), open and detailed. What are you saying? Please...educate me.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Keiths Light

Ok, thank you for the good answers. Cleared that up a but for me. Now having said this, what are some examples of speakers/receivers that provide a noticeably "warm" sound? I've heard yamaha gives this. True?

I'm gonna get reemed for this I'm sure......but at the level we're talking about ($1,000 and under for a receiver)...I don't think it makes a bean of difference. Your other componants will make much more of a noticable difference.

[JimShaw]

My Marantz SR7002 produces a warm tone through the speakers. Much better then the Denon it replaced.

[Keiths Light]

Originally Posted by John72953

I'm gonna get reemed for this I'm sure......but at the level we're talking about ($1,000 and under for a receiver)...I don't think it makes a bean of difference. Your other componants will make much more of a noticable difference.

So your saying that most midrange receivers sound very similar, and I should not worry about the difference between say pioneer, yamaha, onkyo, sony, etc.? the speakers matter more in this instance?

What are some warmer sounding speakers in your opinion?

[Gremal]

Originally Posted by John72953

My well-respected Sir. I wish you would clean up your answer because in one breath you negate their qualities and espouse their virtues. Which is it? You say vinyl runs the full gamet of MUSHY, HORRIBLE, DISTORTED, CONGESTED to incredibly precise, analytical (I'd love to know what that means), open and detailed. What are you saying? Please...educate me.

Not all vinyl sounds good. Some of it is terrible. A good rig lets you hear what you're spinning. The inference that vinyl sounds warm is totally wrong.

Analytical just means uncolored and open.

Oh, and why the sarcasm, e.g., my well respected sir? If you disagree with my answer, just say so.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Keiths Light

So your saying that most midrange receivers sound very similar, and I should not worry about the difference between say pioneer, yamaha, onkyo, sony, etc.? the speakers matter more in this instance?

What are some warmer sounding speakers in your opinion?

I wish I could give you an honest answer.....I can't.

Once you decide on a receiver, try to listen to speakers hooked up to the same receiver, which is not an easy task. That unfortunately is the only way to tell.

As far as brands is concerned, there are many that are wonderful and could potentially provide you with that "warmth" you are seeking. A lot of it depends on what your budget is.

I know that didn't answer your question, but I am always hesitant to provide suggestions because our ears are different from the next person's. You need to go and listen and find out for yourself. Don't go purely go by what others recommend. Start there, but take it up a notch....

[callas01]

WOW, now I want to know, what is Bright, Neutral, Warm, Edgy.... what are these going to sound like? That way I have a better understanding of the audiophile terms with regards to sound.

if less then $1000 receivers don't have this then why was the 663, 1018, 920 and 606 all slightly different sounding?

Thanks in advance.

[Driver_King]

I thought that's what neutral meant (referring to Gremal's definition of analytical). I thought analytical meant extremely precise sound where everything seems sharp and as accurate as possible. (without any extra emotion added) Terms are complex.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by John72953

What does that mean? You can have a bright speaker like a Klipsh (depending on model) still project a warm sound, can you not? I had a pair of Klipsch Heresy II Signature Edition speakers for years and they were wonderful at providing warmth, especially on classical.

For the record, I don't think that Klipsch today builds that kind of speaker anymore.

OHHHH!!!!!! Somebody has gone and did it!!!!! The Heresys can sound warm with the proper equipment!!!! My original Heresy speakers are very warm but I know my equipment has something to do with it! It actually tames the horns a good bit. My Snells are classic warm sounding speakers.

[ixlegitballinxl]

horn tweets baby!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Gremal

Not all vinyl sounds good. Some of it is terrible. A good rig lets you hear what you're spinning. The inference that vinyl sounds warm is totally wrong.

Analytical just means uncolored and open.

Oh, and why the sarcasm, e.g., my well respected sir? If you disagree with my answer, just say so.

First of all...I NEVER said all vinyl sounds good. What I did say was that vinyl in general sounds warmer than CD. And yes, some of it is terrible. I've bought a few recently that I thought were absolutely atrocious.

Perhaps you and I have a different interpretation of what "warmth" means.

The sarcasm was unintential (more of a reference to early eighteenth-century dialogue) and I regret you took it that way.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by prerich

OHHHH!!!!!! Somebody has gone and did it!!!!! The Heresys can sound warm with the proper equipment!!!! My original Heresy speakers are very warm but I know my equipment has something to do with it! It actually tames the horns a good bit. My Snells are classic warm sounding speakers.

I think I said this before in a previous post, but sometimes I wish I still had my Heresy's! They gave me much joy and "warmth".