All Channels Driven

[math wizard]

I've searched this forum and have not found a satisfactory answer to this question. How can I tell if the power rating for my AVR is for "all channels driven?" I have a Yamaha RX-V2500 which is rated at 910 watts (130 watts x 7 channels). This is a considered a high current amp. From the users manual, it is not clear if it means all 7 channels or just 2 channels. Can someone here tell the answer or atleast point me in the right direction so that I can find it? All replies are appreciated.

 

[mike c]

nope, the yamaha can't put out 130w all channels driven.

especially not at the specs of .0x THD

it's really not important though

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14222

summary from that thread:
1) all the channels won't need equal amounts of power
2) they won't do it at the same time even if they did
3) what's important is dynamic power PER channel
4) yes, receiver companies quote 2 channels driven and then market them as x7

 

[mazersteven]

Power is rated at 130 watts for each of its seven channels but that is not the true rating. Only the stated rating from Yamaha.

http://www.hometheatermag.com/floorloudspeakers/605klipsch/index2.html

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/receivers/yamaha-rx-v2500/rx-v2500-benchmark-tests-part-1

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_12_3/yamaha-rx-v2500-receiver-7-2005.html

 

[mike c]

here's a test of the rx-v2600
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/receivers/1497/test-bench-for-shootout-three-mid-price-av-receivers-page3.html

as you can see from the measurements:

Output at clipping (1 kHz into 8/4 ohms)
1 channel driven: 196/297* W (22.9/24.7* dBW)
5 channels driven (8 ohms): 121 W (20.8 dBW)
6 channels driven (8 ohms): 119 W (20.8 dBW)

at 5 channels driven .3% THD, it already starts to fail it's spec'ed rating.

how to interpret the measurements:
http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/features/351/behind-the-numbers-digital-surround-receivers.html

 

[gene]

Please also refer to the very detailed article I wrote on this very topic:

The All Channels Driven (ACD) Test