Is something wrong with my HK3485?

[DualClutch]

Hey all. I have a Harman Kardon HK3485 receiver along with a pair of Polk R50's. The setup sounds fine for what I wanted and could afford. The only problem I have is that it seems as though the receiver may be a little underpowered (or least I think it may be). The volume on the HK3485 starts at -80 and goes up to +10. I generally listed to my music at -55 to -50 db. At this volume, the system is loud enough to hear everything while remaining clean (The funny thing is that at this volume, the small 6.5" woofers on the R50's would barely move). A few days ago I decided to reference the HK3485 against an old Technics receiver (SGU -75) I had laying around. I hooked up the Polks to the Technics receiver. The Technics volume starts at -80db as well. I took it to -50db and it was almost twice as loud as the HK3485 at this volume setting (the woofers were moving A LOT more than with the HK3485 at this setting as well). What gives? Am I missing something here?

 

[skizzerflake]

It doesn't matter. Every loudness control has its own characteristics. Some manufacturers have loudness come up fast to give you the impression that you have oodles of reserve power. No matter how much power you have, if you are starting a mid volume at -50, there's no amp not connected to its own power plant that would go up another 50 db. Every 3 db is a doubling of power so cranking it to zero from -50 would require 2 to the 16th power times as much power, which will not happen.

 

[ricocetj]

It's pure coincidence that they both start at -80. Your HK may have less available power than the Technics receiver you have, and it also may simply increase in volume at a slower rate than the Technics. If your HK is able to push the speakers to the volume you like to listen at without distortion, then you have nothing to worry about, IMHO.

 

[DualClutch]

Hk3485

I feel really dumb now. I always thought that -50db on one receiver would be equal to -50db on another. I also did not know that depending on the manufacturer and model, each volume increment would be different. I guess this explains why my 100wpc Technics receiver that weighs 12lbs. sounded louder than my 120wpc HK that weighs 21lbs at -50db. Maybe my HK does have more power after that -50db mark. Anyway, many thanks to you guys for shining some light on the subject and not making me feel like I wasted money on the HK.

 

[ricocetj]

Don't feel bad. We're all learning something new in this hobby on a daily basis. It's part of the fun.

 

[DualClutch]

Yes, that is true. I am grateful for a forum like this that will help to make things easier though. Thanks again.