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
As I recall, the rate of volume attenuation for dynamic drivers is 6db/meter and 3db/meter with panels. You're sitting approx. 4 meters from the speakers. Do the math and I think we can explain most of your loss. Also. I am not very familiar with Mac gear but is there by chance a selector switch on the back panel for 4/8/16 ohms to be set according to the demands of your speakers? If so, check to make sure it is adjusted accordingly.
your mac will probably never use more than a fraction of its rated power to drive your speakers
There is no impedance switch, there are separate speaker connectors for each load. They are correct. One thing I was also curious about is when I hooked up a Behringer DEQ2496 I ran unbalanced from the preamp into the DEQ XLR input, then XLR from the DEQ to XLR input on the McIntosh. The Behringer only accepts XLR. I did select the balanced switch on the amp, not sure if that matters. I think I've read here a few times allot of you guys prefer to run unbalanced, but I already had the XLR to XLR cables and figured I would get a better signal than running a bunch of adaptors. Also I do have the Zero gain/attenuation set on the DEQ as to not lose signal. This baffles me, someone must have their Revel's POUNDING.....WITHOUT 1500Watts of power. Thanks Guys