Yamaha 1050 with a power amp

[Sahil]

Yes, I was the one who mentioned some people don't listen to stuff much above -20dB which is if anything about my usual movie listening level but for some soundtracks I'll go to -10dB sometimes, and maybe to -5 to 0 for a demo. While there might be something said for not turning your avr volume knob past 0, if it still sounds good at that point and your avr doesn't start glowing or heating the room or worse, shutting down, I think you're okay without an external amp but maybe you'd like to let the amp take the load, that's okay too....it's your money.

That way of referring to level is only somewhat meaningful for movies using the standards it's calibrated to and your avr's calibration to match up....and that isn't adhered to uniformly by any means with movies IME let alone the various ways movies can be delivered (disc, streaming, OTA, sat), music doesn't have a standard as such and is all over the place.

Delay can be handled by your avr....in the settings it's usually called "distance".

Sorry my bad...i realised it after posting my response. that you also mentioned about -20 db.
I agree with you...I wish I cud take a demo at home with emotiva and take a decision after that...which isn't possible here.

Do you think if am getting a good deal on 3050 without losing any money on my current 1050 exchange. then shall I go for it? would that make any difference or I will just satisfy the itch of an upgrade.

 

[Sahil]

According to THX room size categories (copied/pasted from their website):

■ Compact Systems – small rooms, up to 1,000 cu/ft and a viewing distance of 8-10 feet
■ THX Select2 – medium home theater, up to 2,000 cu/ft and a viewing distance of 10-12 feet
■ THX Ultra2 – larger home theaters of 3,000 cu/ft in size and a viewing distance of 12 feet or greater

and

THX Reference Level: Designed to recreate the movie industry SPL setting, 85dB with 20dB of headroom. By turning the volume dial to “0” on a THX Certified receiver, users experience the exact volume level used by the sound designer – with the same level of sound fidelity.

So if you room is in fact medium size by THX classification, and your hearing is normal, at volume 0 you should be getting SPL similar to what you would experience in a THX certified cinema.

If you add an external amp such as the XPA-3, after proper "calibration", you will likely still have to set your volume to 0, hardly comforting visually speaking.

One last point, looking at the specs of your speakers, I don't think they are designed to play loud. The 1050's or 1050+ a 200WPC amp is actually a decent match for them, just don't expect by adding a 200W amp your will suddenly see the volume display lower.

Is it only about the volume here or with more power I will be able drive my speakers better? since the specs make them look little power hungry...

sometimes I do hear distortion in some movie sound tracks...like when it's bomb blast or cars crash.

 

[PENG]

Is it only about the volume here or with more power I will be able drive my speakers better? since the specs make them look little power hungry...

sometimes I do hear distortion in some movie sound tracks...like when it's bomb blast or cars crash.

Yes, then an amp may help. Did you measure the spl when listening at vol 0?

 

[KEW]

My dealer told me that if u power 3 channels for an external and surrounds from your AVR then u might feel some audio delay. I believe this can't be possible however anybody can explain that technically?

He is full of crap! If the signal went through some sort of DAC on one channel and not another, them you would hear some delay, but we are talking maybe 3" of wire from internal pre to amp vs. 5' of wire from the pre to the external amp. The speed of current passing through wire is way to fast for that difference to be audible!
Even if there were a delay (say, if you were using bluetooth to send the signal to your surrounds), your AVR's setup roomEQ system should set the timing so the sound reaches the listening position from all speakers at the same time.

 

[lovinthehd]

Is it only about the volume here or with more power I will be able drive my speakers better? since the specs make them look little power hungry...

sometimes I do hear distortion in some movie sound tracks...like when it's bomb blast or cars crash.

Bomb blasts and car crashes are too distorted to enjoy? No other issues? If you can get the upgraded receiver without any financial pain that just might scratch your upgrade itch, but then an external amp may be necessary to handle all the additional speakers it can handle, eh?

 

[PENG]

Is it only about the volume here or with more power I will be able drive my speakers better? since the specs make them look little power hungry...

sometimes I do hear distortion in some movie sound tracks...like when it's bomb blast or cars crash.

Forgot to ask, did you set the speakers to small and crossovers to 80 Hz or higher? If not, try that first.

 

[Sahil]

Hi everyone...lot interesting insight from you all.

@PENG
i dont have real spl meter.. however my phone spl app...it never crosses 75-80 db at 0 db volume. is that low? this is with all channels. after reading lot of forums that seems quite low.
Crossovers at 80 and setting them small done long back.. in fact on last avr. this an upgraded set up.

@KEW...totally agree with you and I also found him weird..when he mentioned this one. great insight from you!

@lovinthehd
yes ...it's not going to a big financial pain to upgrade..I can do that easily without any sort of losses. just need to pay the balance amount. here the question is shall or not!
another thing emotiva here in India isn't that famous or fast selling...i will not be able to return or exchange it if I am not happy after installing it.

 

[PENG]

i dont have real spl meter.. however my phone spl app...it never crosses 75-80 db at 0 db volume. is that low? this is with all channels. after reading lot of forums that seems quite low.
Crossovers at 80 and setting them small done long back.. in fact on last avr.

I tried apps before but could not find one for C slow. You need a "real" one. If I had the 683 I would cross at 90 or 100 but only if you have a couple of good subs.

 

[Sahil]

@PENG
bang on! I have crossed them at 90! but with only svs pb1000. that way it sounds quite good.

now I think getting a real spl meter... and it will probably help. will order it tomorrow.

 

[PENG]

@PENG
bang on! I have crossed them at 90! but with only svs pb1000. that way it sounds quite good.

now I think getting a real spl meter... and it will probably help. will order it tomorrow.

Try to get one of these:

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/radio-shack-sound-level-meter

Again, you should be getting around 85 dB from your sitting position with volume at 0. If you do get 85 dB then you are just one of those who enjoys listening at very loud level.