Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Lack of volume

I have M60Ti/QS8/VP100 and got Pioneer VSX1015TX (110W*7)last week. My problem is a percieved lack of volume. I am able to go all the way upto 0db or even higher on the -80db to 12db range of the receiver at resonably lound levels. On analoge Satellite box input, I can go all the way to 12db. AudioVideo who sold me the receiver says, the receiver is ok and says spekers are to blame. Axioms are supposed to be lound if not anything else. What could be wrong ? Is it normall for receivers to be near the top of their volume stting range for normal listening ? I would have assumed that the amp should have easily driven me crazy with sound. I am going crazy thinking about all the money I have spent on the axioms that I cannot send back now (more than 30 days).
Please help

Do you have an SPL meter? As loudness is in the ear of the listener, it's tough to say whether or not there is any problem without an absolute measurement. I know that my M60s,VP150, and QS8s powered by my (measly) Kenwood VR-507 can get well beyond a comfortable listening volume in my room. Also what is the audio source you're using for this test? (CD, DVD, etc...)

EDIT: does the satellite box have it's own volume control? If it does, and is turned down, that might explain some of your problem.

I dont have my Axioms yet...but I can tell you from what I have read here over the last month or so..that the speakers are not at fault. Make sure...double sure that your connectivity is correct and that you have set your speaker levels on your receiver properly. I sincerely doubt that any speakers (in this price range) are to blame for low volumes. An spl meter (radio shack has nice ones) is not expensive and always a good tool to have on hand to allow you to better tune your listening environment.

Cheers.

-Tarun

I have used an SPL meter and managed to achieve the 75db level for calibration etc. My only concern is that I have to go way up on the volume control, almost to the very top to get these levels. ie if I moved to a larger room, my pioneer would run out of breath, while my measly kenwood still do the work ? Why do I have to be running the Pioneer near its max when many have mentioned that normal listening requires far less power.

Strange... I wouldnt know what else to try. Try using one speaker at a time and see if some sound correct where as others dont... Maybe one bad pea in the pod? Sorry...wish I had more smarts to give you better advice.

If I turn up my Kenwood I get into the 90db range pretty easily. (Granted, I find that to be quite loud, and don't listen at those volumes.) If you can only reach 75db at the peak of the Pioneer's volume range, that doesn't sound right to me. I second the comment that the Axioms are not the problem though. How big is your room, and how far away from the speakers are you doing your calibration?

I dont actually have my speakers yet...as I mentioned in my first post. Currently I have disposed of my entire setup with the exception of my old 43" Toshiba Theatervision Rear Projection TV.

The plan is to drive 2xM60's, 1 VP150, 4xQS8's, and an EP500 via a Harman Kardon DPR2005 or AVR7300. The 2005 puts out 120w/channel and the 7300 110w/channel.

I will post results in July...hopefully.

-Tarun

One other note... Even I have been pondering the idea of adding 2 outlaw 200's for my M60's.. I figured having outboard amps for the fronts would releive the pressure on the receiver for the other channels. Most dont think its a good idea...

Well, let it be said that while my Kenwood sounds great at my typical listening levels, it doesn't cut it for extended loud listening sessions. I plan to replace it with a Denon 3805 when I have a few months devoid of random expenses popping up. (As they always seem to do for me.) All I was really saying is that It will push 90db's, and I would expect a comparable (better, really) reciever to do the same.

Thanks for all the replies. To answer some of your questions...
The Sattelite box doesnot have a sound control. With DVD source I get fairly loud voume near the top range -10 to 0db volume setting. With Sattelite box(analog) I can go all the way to the top (12db). It is loud at that setting though.
Stupid query but, can some of you comment as to what ratio of your amps full range do you normally listen at. I am happy with the volume level I get, but the fact that I have to be at 90% of the receivers range makes me go nuts.