A/V receivers Volume/Power ratio
mauro_ferrante
Posts: 28
Is there a linear proportion between output power and volume?
I mean this:
A/V receiver's max output = 100 W per channel
Volume varies from -20 dB to +20 dB
then:
-20 dB = 0 W
0 dB = 50 W
+20 dB = 100 W
Do amplifiers work this way?
Thanks
I mean this:
A/V receiver's max output = 100 W per channel
Volume varies from -20 dB to +20 dB
then:
-20 dB = 0 W
0 dB = 50 W
+20 dB = 100 W
Do amplifiers work this way?
Thanks
Post edited by mauro_ferrante on
Comments
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Not really. Most receivers step up exponentially because if you had it the way you showed the majority of the volume you'd get would be between -20 and -19. A single watt does a lot so you probably won't be using a watt until you hit 0. It's really hard to say because there are so many variables (like the output of the source). Easiest way is to just simply measure it with a multimeter.
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A somewhat related question: The volume indicator on my receiver runs from -60 to +16 (I think). What does that really mean? What is the zero point? I generally don't crank it past the -20 to -17 range because that's usually loud enough for me and I don't want to damage my speakers. Is there a magic number or rule of thumb for how far I can turn the dial without risking damage to my speakers?
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Hi... and Welcome to the Forum!
To answer your question -- no... there is no rule of thumb as so many other factors come into play. Speaker sensitivity chief among them. Play it as loud as you're comfortable with, just don't damage your speakers. If you notice any distortion (however slight), back off the volume a bit.I never had it like this where I grew up. But I send my kids here because the fact is you go to one of the best schools in the country: Rushmore. Now, for some of you it doesn't matter. You were born rich and you're going to stay rich. But here's my advice to the rest of you: Take dead aim on the rich boys. Get them in the crosshairs and take them down. Just remember, they can buy anything but they can't buy backbone. Don't let them forget it. Thank you.Herman Blume - Rushmore -
I would say that it is generally wise to never go past 0 on the volume scale, or past 12:00 on the volume knob.Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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Mauro, no the proportion is logarithmic rather than linear. The formula for dBs of sound level increase with power increase is 10 log(P2/P1). For example, if the power is two watts rather than 1 watt, the increase in sound level(other factors being held constant)is 3dB, since the log of 2 is 0.3. Exactly the same rather small 3dB increase would also result if the power used was 200 watts rather than 100 watts; this is often not understood and can lead to grossly optimistic expectations of what a more powerful receiver/amplifier could do with respect to maximum sound level.
As Michael pointed out, speakers of typical sensitivity use about 1 watt to produce a comfortably loud average listening level. If the music is highly dynamic(e.g. some classical passages; less often the case in pop music which has a tendency to be more uniformly loud)brief peaks can require much more; for example a 20dB increase requires 100 times the power. So no, you can't tell either in specific number of watts or proportion of the maximum available how much is being used from the markings on the receiver volume control. It depends on what the level of the program material is at the moment.
