Should a preamp make my speakers louder at -20db?

[superpoppa]

I have an Anthem mrx520 powering my 5.2 setup. When listening to movies at -20db the speakers sounded fine but was worried to drive my 4ohm speakers any harder using the integrated amp.

I just added an ATI525NC class D amp which is 300wpc into 4ohms and switched the connection to my Anthem using unbalanced pre outs. My speakers are XTZ M6's that are rated for max 300 watts.

When running the Anthem at -20db now, some reason I expected the spl coming out of the speaker to be higher. Am I understanding this whole thing incorrectly?

 

[Leemix]

I have an Anthem mrx520 powering my 5.2 setup. When listening to movies at -20db the speakers sounded fine but was worried to drive my 4ohm speakers any harder using the integrated amp.

I just added an ATI525NC class D amp which is 300wpc into 4ohms and switched the connection to my Anthem using unbalanced pre outs. My speakers are XTZ M6's that are rated for max 300 watts.

When running the Anthem at -20db now, some reason I expected the spl coming out of the speaker to be higher. Am I understanding this whole thing incorrectly?

Its good to be a bit careful with volume, but a max watt dosnt really say anything. Its the lack of power thats the danger at not insane volume levels at home so a good stable amp rated at 500w would be a lot safer then an "optimistic" 100w one.

The volume(spl)* your speakers deliver depends on the gain in the amp. Most amps have a fairly similar/standardized gain no matter if its rated power is 50w or 300w.

Edit: volume at the same pre volume knob setting*


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[everettT]

Why would the spl be higher? If you re ran ARC the down 20 would be the same. The ATI has more headroom and less likely to clip at louder spl.

 

[slipperybidness]

I have an Anthem mrx520 powering my 5.2 setup. When listening to movies at -20db the speakers sounded fine but was worried to drive my 4ohm speakers any harder using the integrated amp.

I just added an ATI525NC class D amp which is 300wpc into 4ohms and switched the connection to my Anthem using unbalanced pre outs. My speakers are XTZ M6's that are rated for max 300 watts.

When running the Anthem at -20db now, some reason I expected the spl coming out of the speaker to be higher. Am I understanding this whole thing incorrectly?

You are indeed looking at this wrong.

You need to study up on gain structure.

 

[lovinthehd]

If you re-ran ARC there would be no reason for the different amplifiers to have different SPL at the same volume level, that is the reason you run a calibration routine like ARC. It is even conceivable that if you had a different gain structure with the more powerful amp that it could have less volume but that would be without calibration

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I have an Anthem mrx520 powering my 5.2 setup. When listening to movies at -20db the speakers sounded fine but was worried to drive my 4ohm speakers any harder using the integrated amp.

I just added an ATI525NC class D amp which is 300wpc into 4ohms and switched the connection to my Anthem using unbalanced pre outs. My speakers are XTZ M6's that are rated for max 300 watts.

When running the Anthem at -20db now, some reason I expected the spl coming out of the speaker to be higher. Am I understanding this whole thing incorrectly?

If one amp has a voltage gain of 28dB and one amp has a voltage gain of 34dB, then your speakers will sound a lot louder when using the amp with the 34dB gain (if you didn't change the volume knob (-20.0) or room correction setup, etc).

For example, if you had a Crown XLS 1002 amp (input sensitivity to high 0.7v) and you set the gain/volume knob to the max setting, your speakers will sound a lot louder than before (if you didn't change the volume knob (-20.0) or room correction setup, etc).

Also, if you increased the trim levels (speaker channel levels) in your AVR from 75dB to 80dB, your speakers will really sound a lot louder with the same master volume (-20.0). And you wouldn't even have to buy a new amp (of course, unless your speakers really need it).

 

[j_garcia]

Amp's purpose is not to make it louder at the same volume you were listening at before, it is to allow you to turn it up louder with less distortion. So if you didn't have audible distortion at your current listening level then an amp will not provide that day and night improvement in sound.