8ohm/4ohm volumn difference?
pearsall001
Posts: 5,238
With my new LSi15's I'm noticing a hugh difference in the volumn setting on my pre as compared to my AAD 2001 monitors. The 15's are 88db/4ohm where as the AAD's were 86db/8ohm (which by the way were power hogs too). My new volumn settings are a good -8 to -12 down from my previous settings to achieve the same loudness levels. Not knowing too much on the technical end I would have assumed that the 4ohm load would have these settings in reverse. From reading here on the forum it's always pointed out that the LSi's are a tough load to drive. The amp has remained the same...Rotel RMB-1095 (200w@8ohm / 330w@4ohm). I do know that to increase the volumn by 3db you need to double the power which isn't the case here. What gives? This just has me curious as I know there's a very good technical reason for this. I'm getting my learn on.
"2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
Post edited by pearsall001 on
Comments
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The 86db efficiency on your old monitors may have been an exaggeration."He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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to begin with a technical explanation
we need to start with a specific description
what measurement are you making?
how exactly are you measuring HUGE ?
i can see the responses now ......... -
I would think that the reason it plays louder lower is that due to the decreased resistance to the signal (i.e. LSi 4 ohm v AAD 8 ohm) you get more power per increase in the volume than you did with your other speakers....
Beyond that I dont want to speculate.
The reason we say the LSi's are a tough load to drive is that many recievers cannot do 4 ohms. If your amp can handle 4 ohms (which yours can with power to spare) then its not a problem, however many folks inquiring about the LSi's are doing so while assuming they can run them off a standard Onkyo, Denon or Yamaha reciever which isnt the case."....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963) -
to begin with a technical explanation
we need to start with a specific description
what measurement are you making?
how exactly are you measuring HUGE ?
i can see the responses now .........
SPL meter at listening position along with these crusty 'ole ears!!! As far as describing any other HUGE diferences...I'll leave that up to you guys! :redface:"2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up. -
I'm with you Phil. I experienced something similar between a set of LSI-7s (88db at 4 ohms) and a set of Energy RC-10s at 88db at 8 ohms. The LSIs, on the same amplifier, had a lower volume setting for the same loudness?
I can't explain this either and defer to our experts.
cnhCurrently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!
Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
[sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash] -
4ohms allows more power to flow than 8ohms. So basically you are getting nearly twice the power at the same volume level which translates into 3db gain. I would not trust the DB numbers on your volume control.
BenPlease. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
Thanks
Ben -
^^^^ I experienced the same when I had 4 ohm speakers switched from 8 ohm speaker using NAD 2200 PEs back in the day. The NAD doubles in wpc output with 4 ohm speaker thus the volume control was kept lower to achieve the same volume as the 8 ohm speaker.
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Has anybody here used the LSiF/X surrounds with RTI front/center speakers? I know that they are not matched with them but I was wondering how it would sound. I am looking at upgrading my surrounds and may have a chance to buy some LSIF/X. Also, can you run these surrounds off a AVR powering just a CSI5 which is 8 ohm? I have a Marantz SR7002 powering just my center and surrounds which are 8 ohm. Would running a 8 ohm center with 4 ohm surrounds cause any problem with my receiver? Thanks!HT System
Parasound Halo A51 Amp, Marantz AV 8003 Pre, Arcam FMJ CD36 cd player, Marantz 7007 BD/SACD player,Acoustic Zen Matrix IC's, Analysis Plus Crystal Copper Oval IC's, Acoustic Zen Satori speaker cables, B&W 703's Fronts, Center Martin Logan Motif hybrid, Surrounds DefTech BPX, 2 X DefTech Supercube Reference Subs, DSpeaker Antimode 8033 EQ.
