Please help my home theater grow a pair!

[Case Matthews]

At one time my wife and I purchased an Onkyo HT-s9400THX HTIB. We were actually mildly impressed with this setup. It had some pretty good output (sound quality was ****) but it definitely got loud. After owning this HTIB I decided my next time around I would piece out my system and get all the components I really wanted instead of just rolling the dice. So I am ALMOST finished with my newest system. It includes two Klipsch rf-82ii floor standers for the fronts, two Klipsch rb-61ii for the sides and the same for the rears and a Klipsch rc-62ii for the center. The fronts are 150w RMS, the sides and rears are 100w RMS and the center is 150w RMS. I went ahead and got the new Yamaha rx-v679 7.2ch receiver (wanted the Blue Tooth capability and dual subwoofer ports). So I plugged in the whole deal yesterday (minus the subwoofer, the Hsu Research VTF-15H Mk 2 is on the way

) and this system has got exactly ZERO cajones.. I mean, in order to reach a COMFORTABLE listening level I have to put the volume at 2/3.. Almost max.. I read into (which I should have done to start) how much output the Yamaha receiver has and it is only putting out 90 watts per channel. Which is much less than ANY of my speakers need. I am thinking along the lines of an amp now. Never looked into them. The ones I see are described as "two channel" and such. Does that mean that a two channel would only work for my fronts? or any two speakers? Do I need a "7 channel" amp to get the lead out of my ass and the sound in my skull? HELP!!!! Thnx.
Also, I am not willing to trade in my current receiver. I threw away the packaging before I plugged it in and tested it so mark me down as VERY quiet and VERY stupid.

 

[markw]

First off, I nominate your subject line for one of the best of the year.

Second, when you say 2/3 the way up, what are you using as a reference? In the old days where you could crank the volume knob 10 11, it was easy to visualize. Now, in this digital age, I don't really know what you mean.

But, in either case, wherever the knob (or number) is, the receiver will put out it's rated output no matter what. I remember in "the old days" when I sold tube stereos, Sherwood amps would have to be cranked to 12:00 (marked as "0 db" on the faceplate) to play as loud as a Sansui receiver at 9:00 driving the same speakers.

Finally, did you listen to the Klipsch before buying? They don't have as much "heft" as people think they do.

Again, great subject line. I'm sure others will chime in, if for no other reason than to argue.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I mean, in order to reach a COMFORTABLE listening level I have to put the volume at 2/3.. Almost max.. I read into (which I should have done to start) how much output the Yamaha receiver has and it is only putting out 90 watts per channel. Which is much less than ANY of my speakers need.

This is pure BS or misunderstanding. Speakers don't NEED power, they absorb it. They could HANDLE (before getting damaged) UP TO 150 continuous watts, and a bit more for very short spikes.

A) First of all in terms of loudness, with your specific speakers they are very easy to play loud even 90W is plenty. this site ; http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-efficiency.htm (Loudspeaker:
Sound pressure level and amplifier power calculator) tells me that you should get near 112db of sound pressure if assumed sitting distance of 10ft (3 meters) with 3 front speakers - this is a bit louder than thunder (110db) and a bit lower than threshold of pain at 120db
http://www.buyingloudspeakers.com/SPL reading.JPG

B) One you get a this sub (good choice btw) run room auto calibration again and don't be shy to crank it up. Sub take the load from speakers and you should get things play louder and easier.

C) some bad news - you Yammi don't have ports needed to simply add external amp. if you still feel you need more POWAH - you'd need to replace it

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Nice new avatar Mark - What's todays plan to take over the world?

 

[KEW]

Something is not making sense here. If the receivers and speaker are working and set up properly, your HT should have plenty big cajones!
I heard RF-62ii's a week ago and felt they had excellent "slam"!!!
Your 82's should kick it pretty good, sub or no!

What source are you using? Have you tried a different input?
If using BT, verify the issue with a more direct source.
DVD's are usually quieter than CD's, FWIW.
Is it a new receiver (I ask because if bought used, there may be some settings that are reducing the volume).

 

[Mark of Cenla]

My Yamaha RX-V375 has a volume control situation where the numbers decrease as the volume increases. Even though it can go to -80, we usually use it from -10 to -35. When I first got it, I thought something was wrong with it. But it is just the nature of the beast. My AVR plays as loud as I can stand it. Peace and goodwill.

 

[tyhjaarpa]

Like already said, it is not the power your speakers need, it is the power they can handle without damage done. As long as your receiver can play your speakers loud enough for your preference without clipping then you will be fine. And when you add the sub it will indeed take some load from your speakers and help the receiver to output more to speakers.

Have you also checked speaker level settings from receiver after running room correction? Those might have some effect out there as well.

 

[agarwalro]

My Yamaha RX-V375 has a volume control situation where the numbers decrease as the volume increases. Even though it can go to -80, we usually use it from -10 to -35.

Mark, what you are seeing is the Decibel (dB) scale. More here,

http://www.audioholics.com/room-acoustics/the-decibel-db

Once a receiver is calibrated, 0 dB represents what you'd hear at the movie theater. But, in a huge room sound energy dissipates much faster, so, 0 dB at home, is most likely excruciatingly loud.

It is preferred to use this scale since two calibrated systems can have a common loudness reference. If we both listen to the same CD and you say -20dB and I say +5dB, we know I'm,

 

[Mark of Cenla]

Thanks for the info. I have only had that receiver at "0" a couple of time, and it was incredibly loud. For DVD movies, we often listen at -8 to -15, and that is usually very loud. I play drums, and I have been to over 100 concerts, so I know what loud is. Thanks again. Peace and goodwill.