I think the 'stupid loud' you hear IS distortion. I did a test with a 100 watt per channel receiver connected to my M3's vs a powered 210 watt per channel monitor speaker. My hearing perceptions were that the M3's sounded louder with less power but did not sound bad at all. However, putting them up on a Sound pressure level the monitor speaker pair tested higher even though my perception was they were quieter but I think it was due to it having so much more power it was not distorting and I think my ears at least interprets distortion that is not horrible as being louder.

Last edited by flashtro; 04/11/17 07:35 PM.