Am I missing something here?


My MC352 arrived last week and I have yet to find speakers. When the amp arrived I hooked up an older set of Energy's. The speakers are rated 94db/W/M and 200W. Max. When seated approx 12 feet away I am getting a reading of around 92db on my spl meter, just before the speakers are about to explode. Rule of thumb is 3db increase for power doubled. At 200 watts I should read approx 116 db 1 meter from speaker. 94db/W/M are very efficient speakers. The thing that is driving me insane is the speakers I have an interest in are 88db efficient. (Revel F50a) Let's say the Revels handle everything this amp throws at them (350WPC). According to my estimation I should get a SPL reading of almost 3.5db less????? I would have to throw 700WPC to achieve the SAME volume as those crappy little Energy's? I was using a Harmon Kardon AVR 7200 before and got the same results. I knew the McIntosh would be much cleaner, but still I figured the MC352 would blow the HK away, It's almost triple the power!!! Am I losing my marbles or what??? Please help....Thanks
nuguy

Showing 1 response by honest1

You say the speakers are about to explode at 92 dB. I'm not uqite sure what you mean by this, but I'm guessing they sound strained. I wonder if this si due to the limits of the speakers, not hte amplifiers. I am not familiar with the speakers, but just because a speaker is supposed to be able to handle a certain amount of power doesn't mean iot will sound good while doing so. Also, I question Acresverde's 6dB/meter calculation. Sound usually attenuates exsponentially, not arithmetically. Moving from 1 meter to 2 meters away should give a bigger change in volume than moving from 5 meters to 6 meters away.
In any event, 350WPC is a lot in the high end world, and 88dB efficiency is not bad either. I would say you if possible, try the coombination together if you can, you may be surprised. If you are buying new Revels from a store, they should be able to accomodate this