Denon AVR....low sound

[moodie]

Receiver : denon 1604
Speaker : old pionner 6 speakers (FL, FR, C, SL, SR and SB) + 10' SUb

Problem : i got to turn the vol up to -15db for watching a movie. I am living in a small apartment. Wonder i need to turn till that level to have enough sound pressure? I nearly hear nothing with -40db or less..

Pls help.
Thanks

 

[markw]

It isn't that low.

What standards are you applying? Do you understand what these numbers mean?

 

[Resident Loser]

Different sources...

...have different output levels...Music from different sources(AM/FM, tape, vinyl, CD) usually exhibit volume differences; there seems to be no standards for output voltages...For whatever reason, perhaps it's just not as noticeable with tunes...heck, I have to adjust the volume of my lil' ol' not-part-of-an-HT-system tee-vee depending on the source: broadcast, VCR or DVD...dat's why the good Lord done gived us re-motes!

jimHJJ(...Hey mark! how are things?...)

 

[jbracing24]

There is even a difference between DPL IIx and Dolby Digital. DPL IIx sources can run around -32db on the AVR 2805 but when it switches to a Dolby Digital source, (DVD or Satellite), the setting may be around -20db. The biggest hurdle with DVD is the center channel dialogue volume levels which may mean an adjustment to that speaker for the source.

 

[moodie]

What standards are you applying? Do you understand what these numbers mean?

sorry, markw. I don really know.

The manual says vol is from range -70db to +18db. I am just afraid i am pushing too hard for the receiver with -15db. and i actually don get very loud sound with -15db. I suppose my speakers are still doing good. anything to do with the receiver setting? or connection?

thanks.

 

[markw]

Again, you're fine.

I have aDenon and Athena speakers and I rarely go above -10 for normal listening. When I get it to 0, it's too loud for most movies.

If you have to consistently push it to above 0 for satisfying levels, then I'd be looking for more efficient speakers or have my ears checked.

FWIW, should you ever decide to calibrate the receiver the correct way via a setup disc, you will be setting it to 0 with a DVD source as the normal listening level... and that's pretty durn loud.