Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo New amps

Larry, it's your hearing and your decision, of course, but I'd never listen at that level. If that measurement was a continuous level rather than just a split-second peak, it's well into the area where permanent damage can take place. Examine this table showing recommended limits from the EPA and World Health Organization on exposure levels(in minutes)for non-occupational environments. The less stringent numbers in the first two lines are for exposure at work, where it's considered(by some)that some long-term loss is acceptable.

My own practice when I'm listening "loud"(more commonly it's about 10dB lower)is to be around 80-85dB average, with a split-second peak on even the recordings with the widest dynamic range hitting no more than about 20dB higher in the 100-105dB area.

Set your M80's and VP180 both to small and an 80hz crossover in your pre-amp settings and repeat those same conditions and volumes. You are taxing your amplifier at those volumes. This will take some stress off them. I'm curious to see if those amps will still shut down under those same conditions with these changes.

It may not make that huge of a difference, between 100-300hz, the M80's are below 4ohms.. it will help at the bottom end, where the impedance drops to almost 2 ohms though. lleeds did not say if he has a sub or not.. If he does not have a sub, he may not want to cross over at 80hz.. if the music he is listening to has a substantial amount of material below 50hz, then crossing over at 80hz, will help. However, the 100-300hz range will still stress the amps.

I would be interested in the results of Bluejays recommendation as well.

Your totally correct. Impedance dips in the 100hz-300hz will stress amps especially at rock concert levels like we are seeing here. Frequencies at and below 100hz are the most demanding on the amp and can quickly put it into current limiting with the right material. It will add greater power demands and more heat generation running them large...it might not make any difference, it may make a difference or it just might take a little longer before they shut down raising the crossover point....

If you don't have a sub still try an 80hz crossover point and repeat the same conditions. Don't worry how it sounds. This is just a test to find out how the amps behave with the speakers when you change the settings.