Do I need an amplifier? What benefit would I notice?

[lovinthehd]

Thank you for the information! The X-3800H would be awesome for sure, but I have no idea if an external amplifier would give more headroom to my Monolith 365's. None of the online SPL calculators have an option for 4ohm speakers, so I can't predict the output levels at my MLP.

With this one you just put in your own watts http://www.hometheaterengineering.com/splcalculator.html but you're likely fine without external amps, but it has pre-outs if you decide later on if you need one, but I'd try without first.

 

[Dimitris_dsgg]

With this one you just put in your own watts http://www.hometheaterengineering.com/splcalculator.html but you're likely fine without external amps, but it has pre-outs if you decide later on if you need one, but I'd try without first.

Thank you for the reply! I used this calculator in the past, but it's for 8ohm speakers, isn't it?

 

[lovinthehd]

Thank you for the reply! I used this calculator in the past, but it's for 8ohm speakers, isn't it?

No, not particularly. You can calculate your own watts into 4 ohm if you want. Keep in mind impedance varies greatly with frequency in a speaker, can't find a plot for the 365M but here's an example with a 365T in this review https://www.audioholics.com/bookshelf-speaker-reviews/monoprice-monolith-thx-365t-thx-365c

 

[Dimitris_dsgg]

No, not particularly. You can calculate your own watts into 4 ohm if you want. Keep in mind impedance varies greatly with frequency in a speaker, can't find a plot for the 365M but here's an example with a 365T in this review https://www.audioholics.com/bookshelf-speaker-reviews/monoprice-monolith-thx-365t-thx-365c

I think I've heard Erin from AudioCorner saying that we need to subtract -3dB's from the speaker's sensitivity in order to use those Peak SPL Calculators like this https://benchmarkmedia.com/blogs/calculators/simple-spl-calculator for a correct measurement of 4ohm speakers.

 

[lovinthehd]

I think I've heard Erin from AudioCorner saying that we need to subtract -3dB's from the speaker's sensitivity in order to use those Peak SPL Calculators like this https://benchmarkmedia.com/blogs/calculators/simple-spl-calculator for a correct measurement of 4ohm speakers.

Adjustments like that come more from how the 4 ohm speaker might have been rated for sensitivity, whether at 2.83V or not (2.83 V being 1 watt at 8 ohms, but 2 watts at 4 ohms).

 

[Dimitris_dsgg]

Adjustments like that come more from how the 4 ohm speaker might have been rated for sensitivity, whether at 2.83V or not (2.83 V being 1 watt at 8 ohms, but 2 watts at 4 ohms).

Hmm all those things confuse me a lot on how loud particular speakers on the market can go.. An other thing is wattage, some state the peak wattage and others just mention "30-250W" (the buyer here doesn't have a clue if it's RMS or peak).

 

[lovinthehd]

Hmm all those things confuse me a lot on how loud particular speakers on the market can go.. An other thing is wattage, some state the peak wattage and others just mention "30-250W" (the buyer here doesn't have a clue if it's RMS or peak).

Max wattage ratings is more a point at which you might inflict damage to the speaker, and not much else. Some pro type speakers will provide a max spl spec but most home speakers won't. You can look at measurements of speakers at various spl levels to see how well they hold up to an extent at higher spl. A great indicator is the volume knob as to when things don't sound good, too.

 

[TLS Guy]

Hmm all those things confuse me a lot on how loud particular speakers on the market can go.. An other thing is wattage, some state the peak wattage and others just mention "30-250W" (the buyer here doesn't have a clue if it's RMS or peak).

The problem with speakers is that they are all so program dependent, as to the frequency bandwidth of what you are listening to. Total power means absolutely nothing, as one speaker my be vulnerable in the HF, and other the mid and another the bass, and any combination. So a speaker may tolerate a program at 100 watts and then blow with another program at 50 watts.

This is all compounded by masses of incompetently designed speakers, because designers don't know, and don't study the power bands of musical sources and programs. I have alluded to this many times. I see speaker after speaker frequently with mids totally ill equipped for the power demands, and two ways with tweeter crossed over far to low in the power band range of a lot of sources.

The design competence of speaker designs trends way below that of the electronics.

 

[Eppie]

Unfortunately most modern AVRs do not show power usage unless you get into the higher end. My 4800H has a bar graph for energy consumption when adjusting the volume, but that is only going to be averaged and not show any dynamic peaks. Judging by your volume settings, I don't get the impression that you are driving the system very hard and you are probably ok. If you were running at reference levels (near 0DB) and noticed some harshness or lack of dynamics, that would be worth investigating more.

As hobbyists we are always wondering what we can improve and tweak but many times it is fine to just sit back and enjoy and not fret too much over something you can not measure. More power is always a nice to have but not necessarily a must have. Often you can gain more by adjusting speaker placement and controlling early reflections. You can also play with Audessey which will impact the sound. Like TLS Guy, I eventually turned it off and set the speaker distances manually.