With my modest Denon AVR, I listen to music Videos/SACDs/CDs in my medium size room at about -20 DB. Over than & it just gets too loud - over 90 DBs at my MLP.
For movies I run it at -15 to -10 DBs because that is all that my hearing & my house can stand.
Something doesn't seem right with your gear, room or perhaps the source material. It is doubtful that it is the speakers alone that are the culprit.
Again, you should try to measure your SPL at your MPL to see exactly how much you are achieving. If you don't have a dedicated SPL Meter, there are apps for cell phones that will give you a good approximation of your SPLs. I've used both types & they work pretty well...
TAM
OK
So, this weekend I downloaded a SPL meter to my I phone calibrated -15 db on my pre/pro to 75dbl on the SPL Meter.
I listen to movies about the 75db - 80db. That's because probably I only have 2ch now. The VP180 is enroute hopefully today. So maybe it will be 70 - 75 db SPL
Music either DVD or CD I listen around 85db - 90db SPL
If I am in the mood and for the songs I really like I go to 90 - 95db on the spl meter
Now when I put in Michael Jackson This Is It for example.
Jam
Way You Make Me feel
Beat It
if I have the sound at 90dbl it is ok, the kik drum goes thumppp ... not as pronounced as I like but, it is there. I wish I could just boost this up like 3 db
If I turn it up on these songs to 95db - 98 db that kik is now Pfff . You can tell it is at it's limit.
Now these speakers are spose to be rated 400 watts. I am no where near 400 watts. I'm probably no where near even turned on.
I have a Anthem MCA50 with just two of the channels used 385w per channel this is.
I have a Anthem AVM30 Pre/Pro.
