Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo More power for fronts-best way?

I have a Denon AVR-989 rated at 115 WPC, but I would like to play louder in two channel stereo. Any suggestions to get more power to my M60's?

1SS, the 989(2809)has a maximum power capacity that's more than what's needed for most situations, with peak SPL numbers a little over 105dB in typical listening positions. Have you measured the actual SPL numbers that you're getting, because the present capability should be extremely loud and more would be dangerous to hearing?

You have pre-outs on that unit if you want more juice.

Well, I haven't tested max db yet, but I know that at higher volumes, the sound seems a little strained, especially higher frequencies. I would like to get that volume without, I guess, straining the amp or nearing its max. I don't think it's the speakers to blame for what sounds like distortion.

To get reference levels of 76 db band limited pink noise using DVE, I have to turn it to +7.

So, I'm a little vague on the pre-outs. How would I connect another amp if I wanted to for 2 channel without affecting the settings for multi-channel?

Maybe I'm crazy, but that seems way off to me. If the speaker levels are calibrated properly you shouldn't be anywhere near +7 in order to hit 76dB. Did you check speaker levels with SPL meter or run Audyssey? What are the speaker levels set to in the Denon?

Yeah, that doesn't sound right at all. I don't calibrate to 70dB any more, but on my 75wpc H/K, I was only at -15 or so (out of I dunno, +10?) for 70 on DVE. OTOH, the pink noise tests on DVE are WAY WAY WAY WAY WAY WAY quieter than the intro and test tracks. Like 20-30 dB quieter.

I need a new calibration DVD.

Really? Maybe that's what he's experiencing then. On regular listening material he shouldn't be near +7 to hit 76dB though.

76dB should use about a tenth of a watt.

No offense, John, but I'd love to hear from an audio engineer on that topic. Either that, or show me the math.

Ken, the anechoic sensitivity rating on the M60s is 89dB per 1 watt at 1 meter. Taking into account both direct sound and room reflections, sound level in typical rooms at home drops off at about 3dB per doubling of distance(e.g.,Toole, p.60). At a typical listening distance of around 10' the sound level for 1 watt would be about 85dB. 10dB lower would use a tenth of a watt(95dB would use 10 watts, 105dB would use 100 watts).