Can room acoustics amplify the sound of speakers?


In attempting to solve some room acoustics problems, I have encountered a dilemma: Can room acoustics actually amplify the sound from speakers?? This is my scenario, I play music fairly loud, but am no headbanger (for example Yes' version of "America" or "Going for the One", Allman Brothers "In Memory of Elizabeth Reed") I understand what it means to pressurize a listening room and how recording venues have different degrees of loudness which should be adjusted or matched by the volume control. The source of this question originates when I play music loud, the dynamic passages become less clear and more congested or noisy, but a transition to a softer passage, the clarity and harmonics of the music improves. Am I hearing more total harmonic distortion at loud volume levels, and less so on the softer passages??, OR, is my amp clipping, or is the music's demands beyond the capabilities of my integrated amp. The amp is a Creek SE5350 Classic (80RMS) driving Acoustic Zen Adagios. The room is only 12X14. Will appreciate any advice or explanation. Jim
sunnyjim

Showing 1 response by sunnyjim

I want to thank everyone who has contributed to this thread; I have learned a great deal about the electronics of op-amps. My walls are "not barking" at me yet as Davehrab noted about his back wall, but the shouting has not stopped. Two questions emerge from the responses to this thread. First, Why don't high-end audio stores encourage an acoustic evaluation of a buyer's room; surely, they could provide their own acoustic treatment service, or just sell the product on a DIY basis and create additional revenue, for themselves, especially in these tough economic times, Second, it would be interesting to find out how many manufacturer's rely on a "one chip" output configuration Davehrab suggested of the Rega Apollo. If that is the only cause,and not a combo of CD output design and not resolving the negatives of room acoustics. How many of us, just guess at acoustics, or assume that the overstuffed furniture in the living room will cure all the negatives. I can only remember once over 38 years of audio clearly hearing the difference created by two floor to ceiling bookcases behind both speakers that "dramatically" changed the sound.

I would like to contact Rega, and see how they respond to explaining this "problem" of an apparent uncontrolled increase in volume, resulting in a loss of clarity on dynamic passages. I am not sure I understand how Davehrab would solve the electronic problem of overloaded or overworked op-amps. How much could it possibly cost a manufacturer to eliminate this problem. I am sure buyers would pay a reasonable increase in retail to attain good sound. Jim