Pushing Receiver Too Hard? (1 Viewer)

[Bryan_Tams]

I just hooked up a new pair of Axiom T60s (which sound very clean) and seem too be pushing the volume level much higher to get loud sound via an HK 525 than I was expecting. I have not referenced set them or played with the internal +/-, but I have to go to a -25 or so for listening to music and -15 and beyond for it to start getting loud? It would seem that if the volume goes from -80 to 0, that I am pushing the HK at 75% just to listen to music at decent levels. Do I not have enough power with the 525 to drive these speakers? Can someone shed some insight for me. Thanks.

 

[Jose G]

Use the internal test tones to calibrate the system first. If you don't have the Radio Shack meter, just use the built in Ez set for this. I first set my HK225 to -15 on the volume and used the internal test tones via the remote. Once I got the SpL meter, I used this and a calibration disk to do the same but made sure all speakers were at 70dB on the meter when doing so from the primary listening position. Actually, you can use the internal tones and the Spl meter at the same time if you don't have a calibration disk and then use the internal speaker level adjustments to tweak. The volume on the HK receiver will use the full range and as you get to the higher numbers you will get more output. For lack of a better explanation- the volume will get louder faster at the end of the range as you approach reference- which should be 0 if you calibrated as I mentioned. I play music at about -25 and if I start to raise the volume past this- it gets louder as it should- too loud as it should in certain instances. You should only start to be concerned after you've calibrated the system and then still need to play the HK at reference to feel that it is loud. If that is the case, then maybe you do need more power for your space.

 

[Bryan_Tams]

Thanks Jose...I will stop by radio shack on the way home and calibrate tonight.

 

[JeremyFr]

yeah just like my reciever goes from -100db to 0db basically once you get past -30 or so is when it really starts to get up there in the volume even though in reality at -30 its in reality less than "half way up" on the volume. Recievers that use a db reference for volume are much more accurate in showing a person what the relative output the reciever/amp is pushing. Since volume gains loudness exponentially as you begin to turn something up. not linearaly (sp?) as most think it does.

 

[Jason GT]

Bryan, assuming all HKs are the same, your volume control should go up to +15.

 

[altan]

My 525 goes to +9.

Reference in mysetup is at 0dB on the volume knob.

I listen typically at -10dB from reference.

... Altan

 

[Jason GT]

Boy do I feel like and idiot. :b

My 320 goes up to +5 -- I think. Now this may vary depending on how your various channel adjustments are set. Anyways, with my setup, -15 is too loud anyways.