Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Emotiva Setup

Sarang, those numbers are invalid. They're based on the 6dB per doubling of distance factor which applies only to an omnidirectional sound source in anechoic conditions. For home listening rooms both direct and reflected sound has to be taken into account. Research by Dr. Toole and others has shown that the typical factor for such rooms is 3dB per doubling of distance, rather than 6dB. At 2 meters only half of the power calculated using the 6dB factor would be required and at 4 meters only 1/4th the power.

If you don't mind damaging the hearing of your guests and yourself those 100dB plus numbers which you've suggested would be appropriate. A safe average level shouldn't exceed about 85dB, with only brief split-second peaks hitting the 100dB area.

in Montreal, a rock band leader was practicing on the stage prior to a concert.
after a short while he calls the resident tech. and tells him that the monitors he installed are no good, he "barely can hear" himself playing.
the tech takes SPL readings and shows the musician the results: 120dB SPL.
the musician gets mad and yells at him that the equipment is no good, that he better change it for something more powerful...etc.

John, as per Dr.Toole's calculations, I will be getting a higher dB @3mts from the speakers than the number calculated by me. This goes on to show that XPA 3 would have enough headroom and be able to play speakers at deafening sound levels. XPA 2 clearly has more unusable power and headroom and therefore, a waste considering the high sensitivity of m80's.

Thank you all for helping me decide.

Wow! So the XPA2 can play even louder than deafening levels! Totally agree, what a waste!