Bought an external amp and not noticing a big different in power

[Seth=L]

I like to think of Amps kind of like watches. Just because you get a Rolex doesn't mean you suddenly have a more accurate watch than a Timex. But chances are a nicer watch will have better quality parts, a better look, and look better.

Timex watches keep better time than Rolex watches, and Behringer EP2500s have more clean power than Anthem amps costing much more.


To quote myself






"Function over beauty"






.

 

[fox]

I've been using an Anthem amp to power my Paradigm Studio 100's for a few years now and no complaints. Does it seem to make the music play louder, not appreciably, but then, I don't think it is meant to as much as it is designed to play the music more effectivley/efficiently. I guess it depends on what you want from the amp of course.

 

[Biggiesized]

Timex watches keep better time than Rolex watches, and Behringer EP2500s have more clean power than Anthem amps costing much more.


To quote myself






"Function over beauty"






.

I thought it was "Form follows function" or something thereabouts.

 

[Adam]

I thought it was "Form follows function" or something thereabouts.

True, but he was quoting himself, after all.

 

[highfigh]

Don't worry. 6dB is true doubling of SPL. You just need 4x the power to do that....

-Chris

If you mean that an increase of 6dB sounds twice as loud, no, it's not. 10dB causes a perceived doubling of volume. You're right about the 4x power multiplier resulting in a 6dB increase, although this changes in a reverberant field vs anechoic.

 

[cfrizz]

You are getting & hearing the benefits of that amp. You won't have to worry about your receiver going into protect mode again, and you'll know that your speakers are getting all the power that they need whenever they need it to operate to their full potential. To me that is the most important factor.

Some people are easily able to pick up the differences between amps & receivers and others aren't. It was a night & difference for me when I added a Parasound 1500a amp to my system to drive my main speakers. I'll never go back to just having a receiver

 

[PENG]

You're right about the 4x power multiplier resulting in a 6dB increase, although this changes in a reverberant field vs anechoic.

And that depends on the room acoustic environment. In my room, I lost only about 5 dB going from 1m from the speakers to my listening position that is 3.6m from the speakers.

 

[Jack Hammer]

Where I had noticed a difference was at higher volumes with more power hungry speakers. My old AVR didn't have the juice to run at higher volumes with the speakers I was using. The AVR I'm using now powers my setup fine at the highest volumes I care to listen at. I played with a Fosgate amp and couldn't tell any difference between it and my Denon 3806ci's amp at the volumes I normally use. So the Fosgate is powering my other zone.

Jack

 

[mtrycrafts]

And that depends on the room acoustic environment. In my room, I lost only about 5 dB going from 1m from the speakers to my listening position that is 3.6m from the speakers.

Yes. Most likely your room is not what may be considered a concert hall size where the free space numbers are more applicable

 

[mtrycrafts]

....
Some people are easily able to pick up the differences between amps & receivers and others aren't....

That's where the debate is.
I wonder those that have those capabilities would still have it under levels matched, DBt conditions.

 

[lsiberian]

Timex watches keep better time than Rolex watches, and Behringer EP2500s have more clean power than Anthem amps costing much more.

"Function over beauty"

Agreed to a point, but I didn't pick my wife on that statement.

 

[PENG]

Yes. Most likely your room is not what may be considered a concert hall size where the free space numbers are more applicable

You are right, my HT room measures 12X20 plus 4X8 plus another 4X3 and only 8 ft ceiling. In this little room my receiver could do the job for me most of the time but with the external amps I think I am covered 99% of the time.

 

[WmAx]

A lot has been said of the momentary peaks. Much of which I find hard to believe. 3db is all you gain in said increase which is relatively insignificant.

But you don't buy an external amp just for the power. I like to think of Amps kind of like watches. Just because you get a Rolex doesn't mean you suddenly have a more accurate watch than a Timex. But chances are a nicer watch will have better quality parts, a better look, and look better. This can be the case with Amps as well. The reality is there is not a huge difference in anything soundwise despite the owners of external amps attempts to make such appear to be the case. Double Blind testing has demonstrated this numerous times.

However if you get a high quality amp you are going to have a more reliable amp, that's less likely to break.

I do suggest checking out benchmark tests when considering amps to buy. I don't suggest any kind of listening test unless it's a level matched double blind test. There is no other way to test amps sonically IMO.

you might be surprised at how different amps benchmark.

But 6db IS a significant increase, my friend. 6dB is 2x actual SPL increase.

-Chris

 

[WmAx]

If you mean that an increase of 6dB sounds twice as loud, no, it's not. 10dB causes a perceived doubling of volume. You're right about the 4x power multiplier resulting in a 6dB increase, although this changes in a reverberant field vs anechoic.

6db is twice the linear SPL. There is no debating that. As for 10dB, in fact, I have not read a proper analysis of this, and this 10db number relates to very old perceptual tests, of which I have not been able to find the original research and go over it's conditions(just 2nd or 3rd hand mention of it with no real details provided). I can say that to me and a lot other people I know, 6db is a huge difference with music, perceived, and to me it sounds like roughly 2x. 10dB is an incredible increase to me.

-Chris

 

[PENG]

As for 10dB, in fact, I have not read a proper analysis of this, and this 10db number relates to very old perceptual tests, of which I have not been able to find the original research and go over it's conditions(just 2nd or 3rd hand mention of it with no real details provided). I can say that to me and a lot other people I know, 6db is a huge difference with music, perceived, and to me it sounds like roughly 2x. 10dB is an incredible increase to me.

-Chris

I think it is a subjective thing but it seems widely accepted. I found this interesting read:

http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-soundlevel.htm

 

[Biggiesized]

I, too, have heard the widely accepted 10db increase as a perceived doubling in volume.

 

[croseiv]

But 6db IS a significant increase, my friend. 6dB is 2x actual SPL increase.

-Chris

Yes it is! I have noted this getting the second PB13U. It made more of an impression than I initially thought it would. To me it seems 2x as loud (6dB).

 

[Kitsum]

Agreed to a point, but I didn't pick my wife on that statement.

Beauty fades away, but a good cook is forever.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Agreed to a point, but I didn't pick my wife on that statement.

Then it was beauty over function?

 

[Lordoftherings]

6db gain is like adding another subwoofer to your existing one, and more.
You'll notice it for sure.