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marantz SR5002 and m22's
#203315 04/06/08 04:11 PM
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ethanw Offline OP
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I'm new to HI-FI gear and I just got a Marantz SR5002 surround reveiver (90 watts per channel) and m22's. Using a CD player it's not abnormal for me to put the volume level up to -24 or higher so to be at a "moderate" listening level. Does anyone here use this receiver/speaker combo that can tell me if that is normal?

I've even had the level up to -15 for futurama DVD's on the PS3. Again, this is not blasting volume either.

Re: marantz SR5002 and m22's
ethanw #203317 04/06/08 05:18 PM
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Hello ethanw,

Although the dB (decibel) calibration of various AV receivers will vary somewhat from brand to brand, the -24 dB level you are using on your Marantz to drive the M22s is quite normal and within the range to be expected of various Axiom speakers.

In fact, the levels you are using are almost exactly what I see on my H/K AV receiver read-out when I drive the M22s with an EP500 subwoofer, two QS8 surrounds, and a VP150 center channel, listening from a distance of about 9 to 12 feet back. Those levels typically produce a sound pressure level (SPL) averaging about 80 dB (C-weighting), measured on a Radio Shack SPL meter. Peaks of 85 dB SPL at your listening chair are subjectively described as "quite loud."

These settings may vary depending on personal taste in playback volume, how far away you sit from the speakers, the overall size and furnishings of the room, as well as the recording level on the original source (the latter may vary as much as 10 dB).

Regards,


Alan Lofft,
Axiom Resident Expert (Retired)
Re: marantz SR5002 and m22's
alan #203322 04/06/08 06:59 PM
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I can't add much to what Alan said.

I routinely watch DVDs around the -20 to -15 mark on my Denon 3808 and music is around that -24 mark.

Those 90W/channel are only needed for peaks in the music/movies on average it only takes 1 watt to achieve 89-93 db depending on your room, that is what the sensitivity specifications means for speakers. The more sensitive the speaker, the easier it is to drive them or make them sound loud. Most people find 75-85db to be about normal to slightly loud listening levels, which translates to actually only needing less than 1W to make them hit those levels. There is a whole thread on the board about dynamic range and the power requirements needed to hit high SPL and some links are thrown in there to some power calculators.

For example, I would need 159W/ch to achieve 100 db(loud) at my seat(2 meters away from speaker) with out distortion from my M22s with music having a dynamic range of 10db. I need 126W/ch for my M80s.


Jason
M80 v2
VP160 v3
QS8 v2
PB13 Ultra
Denon 3808
Samsung 85" Q70
Re: marantz SR5002 and m22's
jakewash #203325 04/07/08 12:47 AM
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I think what gets most newcomers is the fact that the Rx will start at -80dB and it takes until about -40 to hear anything and -24 to get anything usable. It then looks like there is almost nowhere to go to get an increase.
The concept, though, is that the perceived volume doubles every 10dB, so going from -80 (mute) to -70 is essentially doubling next to nothing, so still very very soft. Going from -24 to -14 will be doubling a moderate level resulting in very very loud (using the same source).


M80s/VP160/QS8s/EP350; M22s; M3s.
Re: marantz SR5002 and m22's
doormat #203326 04/07/08 12:54 AM
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Not unusual, my Denon is the same.


M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85


Re: marantz SR5002 and m22's
doormat #203338 04/07/08 02:49 AM
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ethanw Offline OP
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 Originally Posted By: doormat
I think what gets most newcomers is the fact that the Rx will start at -80dB and it takes until about -40 to hear anything and -24 to get anything usable. It then looks like there is almost nowhere to go to get an increase.


I think you nailed it there. That was my experience. Thanks for the explanation too.


Moderated by  alan, Amie, Andrew, axiomadmin, Brent, Debbie, Ian, Jc 

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