HK AVR-525: How loud should it go? (1 Viewer)

[David Ruggiero]

I have the 525 with JBL Studio series speakers hooked up (4 S-38's and an S-center) and also a SVS PB12-ISD/2. Using the AVIA dvd reference is around -15 on the volume. I have all speakers set to small, with the crossover set to 100hz.

The problem is, if I play a movie at any volume louder then -20 or so, and if there is a sudden loud noise or explosion, the receiver shuts off. It only does it at high volume so I don't think the any speaker wires are touching (plus I checked to make sure.) Being that the volume goes to +10 should I be able to play it that loud without it shutting off? Or am I just asking too much of the receiver? And if it is too much for the receiver, would a better solution be to get more efficient speakers ( I am already considering moving up to Klipsch reference series speakers) or should I just get an external amp to take some strain off the receiver?

Any help, thoughts or advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Travis]

That is surprising. The HK is rated at 75 wpc, and HK is usually pretty honest in their ratings. If I remember right, your speakers should have a sensitivity of around 91 db and are 8 ohm speakers, so the load shouldn't be very much on the receiver, especially with an xover of 100 hz. Do you have the receiver in a well ventilated area? On the other hand, 5 below reference is pretty loud so I am sure the receiver is struggling a little even with 8 ohm speakers, especially over an extended period of time. I think adding a seperate amp would be the most inexpensive way to go. You could pick up a nice used 5 channel for around 500 bucks.

 

[LanceJ]

I also agree with this.

And reference level itself is very loud to me & others I have demonstrated it to. In other words, I never listen at that level.

As far as the H/K's volume scale: a car's speedometer might go up to 180mph but it doesn't mean the car itself can actually go that fast.

David: Did someone say that you HAVE to listen to your movies at reference level? Because you absolutely do not have to if that kind of volume bothers you.

 

[David Ruggiero]

My HK does go pretty loud, but I guess I'm one of those guys who are never satisfied...

So I have a feeling a new amp and/or Klipsch speakers are in my future.

Thanks for the replies guys.

 

[Tim O...]

David,

This is a timely post for me and a coincidence because I recently asked people if I could drive my 525 full-out for several hours for a house party. I also have the PB12-ISD/2. The general consensus seems to be that it could be done, although I'm risking damaging the receiver because it's not meant for that use.

As far as your situation, I have slightly more sensitive speakers than yours, and I've never had a problem with the HK being unable to handle them. It goes PLENTY loud too-well over reference levels. I have it calibrated at 80 db at the 0 volume level (5 db above ref.) in 7 ch. stereo mode, and I drove it at +5 to +10 the other night, for an hour straight. The fan came on, but no shut down, no noticeable clipping.

The only time I've ever had problems with the 525 shutting down was when I had the polarity reversed on one speaker. Check ALL your connections, check for stray wires that could be shorting, check all your settings, etc. For example, you might accidentally have raised one of your channel levels to +10, thereby overdriving it considerably.

It is a powerful unit, I doubt you've reached its limits. Let us know how it turns out.

Tim

 

[John Garcia]

How big is your room? 4 S38s with a relatively low 89dB sensitivity will draw plenty of current, though with a 100Hz x-over I would not expect this receiver to shut down.

How about the circuit the receiver is on? How many amps for this circuit?


The fact that you don't notice the clipping does not mean it is not happening. Clipping will begin to happen before you audibly notice it, or you may not even realize that what you are hearing is a distorted signal. When the receiver runs out of current and clips, your tweeters are the first place you will likely see the results when they fry.

 

[Tim O...]

Thanks John. I realize that about the clipping. I wasn't assuming it wasn't occurring, just that it wasn't audibly perceptible. One reason I bought the 525 was its high current design and its ability to play near max capacity *relatively* cleanly, compared to other receivers. How long it could do that before damaging the tweeters, of course, is a different matter.

 

[John Garcia]

Tweeter damage typically won't occur over time, it will happen instantly when the receiver clips too much.

Yes, the 525 is a pretty heavy hitter. With my Marantz, which is rated at 120wpc, it still sounded like it was struggling with my 4 Ohm speakers (91.5dB sensitive) when I cranked it. Still, there is NO WAY I can turn this thing up to reference level for extended periods. My receiver can do it cleanly too, but it is FAR too loud.

 

[David Ruggiero]

Room is 17X14 with an opening to the side leading to another room and an opening in front leading upstairs. The breaker is a 20 amp breaker.