Denon 3805 Volume

[jimgoings]

I recently replaced my JVC-RX8000 with a Denon 3805. Huge upgrade, I know. However, it seems that to reach acceptable volumes for watching movies, I have to crank it up to -10 to -15 db. Is that normal?

Everything sounds GREAT... I'm just surprised that I have to turn it up so high when I didn't have to get so close to max with my old unit (with the same speakers).

 

[MACCA350]

Hi, If you used the Auto Setup then the 3805 sets Reference Level at -10, so yes this is normal if you want to listen at reference levels

cheers

 

[Duffinator]

That seems high to me. What speakers are you running? How big is your room? About the loudest I listen to DVD's is -18 but -24 or higher if my kids are in the room. TV, with a DirecTV HD Tivo can range from -28 to -40. CD is getting loud at -28 and normal for me is around -36, unless I'm home alone then it's up to -20 I couldn't listen to anything at -10 for long periods of time so if yours is just acceptable at that level there could be a problem. I have a moderate size room and have Mirage 595is 6 ohm speakers that are not overly efficient. I'd go over your setup again and read the audioholics review of the 3805 for further assistance.

 

[jimgoings]

I'm running Boston Acoustics VR3 in the front and VR1 for the rear. I'll look through the settings again to see if I can find anything that's setting them down to -10 as suggested.

 

[shokhead]

Check the mute settings in the menu.

 

[MarieonCape]

My experience is the same as MACCA350's. Just for the heck of it I've cranked my 3805 to max just to see what it is on the 3805, the answer is 9 db. I've noted that one source is louder at a -10 db setting than another, so source matters too (in my experience).

Question: I know some receivers show the max to be 0 db. I thought volume numbers were relative to the amplifier not a standard across the board if it were I'd imagine we'd hear all sort of marketing hype about it. So, can we say anything conclusive about one amplifier that seems "right" at -10 and another at -20?

Marie

P.S. This is discussion is leading me to believe I do have hearing damage. Probably from those 20 foot tall speakers about 10 feet away from me at a Stevie Nicks concert.

 

[nibhaz]

My experience is the same as MACCA350's. Just for the heck of it I've cranked my 3805 to max just to see what it is on the 3805, the answer is 9 db. I've noted that one source is louder at a -10 db setting than another, so source matters too (in my experience).

Question: I know some receivers show the max to be 0 db. I thought volume numbers were relative to the amplifier not a standard across the board if it were I'd imagine we'd hear all sort of marketing hype about it. So, can we say anything conclusive about one amplifier that seems "right" at -10 and another at -20?

Marie

I was just reading the manual for the 3805 and the manual states that the max volume is +18dB. However if you have made a positive channel level adjustment say +9dB then the max volume you well see displayed would be +9db, but since you have a made +9dB the channel level will actually be at +18dB the stated max volume.

This means that once a person sets up the channel levels for their environment, the volume displayed on their unit may not match some else's unit who has made their own level adjustments even though both units could be playing back at the same level. I should have worded that better, but I'm lazy.

Volume levels displayed are not comparable between brands, and are only comparable within the same brand and the same model set to that factory default with the same load in the same environment. Even then there maybe slight variations depending on the manufacturing tolerances for the amplifier section.

At least that's my understanding...

 

[PENG]

Volume levels displayed are not comparable between brands, and are only comparable within the same brand and the same model set to that factory default with the same load in the same environment. Even then there maybe slight variations depending on the manufacturing tolerances for the amplifier section.

This is true but my experience is that some brands, such as Denon, will get you close to a reference level of 75 dB at a typical listening distance (e.g. 15 ft). How close it is will depend on room acoustic conditions and distance from the speakers. The approx. 75 dB is obtained by playing one of those calibration disc, or the receiver's internal test tone, with the volume at 0 dB & using speakers with sensitivity of around 89 dB.

 

[nibhaz]

This is true but my experience is that some brands, such as Denon, will get you close to a reference level of 75 dB at a typical listening distance (e.g. 15 ft). How close it is will depend on room acoustic conditions and distance from the speakers. The approx. 75 dB is obtained by playing one of those calibration disc, or the receiver's internal test tone.

I'm not sure what you are getting at? I thought I already covered the fact that there are many variables that will affect the actual volume level displayed when in fact two units might be producing the same in room SPL. To complicate things further reference tones are recorded at different levels which means that again different volumes may be displayed when in fact producing the same SPL. Displayed volume would only be comparable if every other variable is eliminated...i.e. level adjustment, speaker load, source material, room acoustics, background noise level....yada yada yada

With that said I imagine I could take any of onkyo's 100wpc AVRs and replace my TX-SR800 and with the AVIA disc that I use for my tones, I would get very close to 85db when putting the volume setting at 0dB. However I wouldn't go as far to say that the 0dB setting will produce 85dB in someone else's set up...

 

[PENG]

Sorry I forgot to mention that the volume is at 0 dB. I just edited it. I wasn't saying that it could be repeated in someone else system neither. I was talking about approximation, and only work with some brands. For example, a Sony DA4ES under the same condition in my room would give the same 75 dB with the volume set at -27 dB (if I remember correctly from long time ago). I think you can get similar results (vol at 0 dB to get 75 dB using one of those test tones, and speakers with around 89 dB sensitivity), again just approximation, with Yamaha, Denon & H.K receivers.

Anyway, I agree with you completely. I was only trying to share one of my observations on this topic, didn't mean to confuse anyone.

 

[nibhaz]

And I also have found that 0dB is generally relative to a reference tone, but whether or not it is 75dB or 85dB was dependent on the source of the tone. Anyway, I was trying to point out that one shouldn't get too hung up on what other's volume levels are set at because there are so many variables to consider.

PENG sorry if I was a little uncouth in my last post.

 

[PENG]

No problem, I know I was not clear about what I was saying. Thanks!

 

[shokhead]

And I also have found that 0dB is generally relative to a reference tone, but whether or not it is 75dB or 85dB was dependent on the source of the tone. Anyway, I was trying to point out that one shouldn't get too hung up on what other's volume levels are set at because there are so many variables to consider.

PENG sorry if I was a little uncouth in my last post.

Yep. Some get hung up on what others A/V stuff might read or measure and even a little bit of difference in setup or one model up or down will show.

Had mine up to around -25 last night watching imax speedway and it was pretty loud and cool.

 

[Briant73]

I have a Denon 3803 and have noticed that when I am viewing a channel from my dish receiver (using the optical out) that usually leave mine at -25 to -32db when it's a source that is standard and the receiver plays in Dolby PLII. When the source is Dolby Digital from the dish receiver and my Denon is playing DD then I need to crank the volume to -15 or higher range to hear at a decent level. Same with DVDs.

Might I have a setting that needs changed also? I'm using Boston Acoustic VR series speakers.

 

[shokhead]

Mine needs to go up also on DLIIx. Surrounds are low.