Lack of volume.....

demaples

I know I'll probably hear "I told ya so" but here goes. I'm the guy that needed more power for the lsi's. Well, I got a Rotel RMB 1077 to help an Onkyo 805 push lsi 25 fronts, Genesis sides, lsi15 rears, lsic center and PSW 650 sub, with blue jean 12 gauge wires. I've tried many different adjustments. The surround is good but for music I can't get the volume even my old Kenwood 100wpc could throw out. I have the avr at 4 ohms. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

tcrossma

Actually setting the AVR to 4 or 6 ohm (if it has those settings) is probably further limiting the power to the speakers. AVR's typically have those settings to reduce heat by limiting power output to low impedence speakers.

I'm not familiar with the RMB-770, is that a 2-channel amp? I can't find any info on it... Is it driving the 25's and the AVR powering the rest? Is the volume coming out of the fronts driven by the amp as good as you'd like?

demaples

It is a seven channel at 100wpc at 8 ohm and 200 wpc at 4 ohm. It is powering all the speakers other than the sub. When I go to stereo mode on the avr I get decent but not loud loud volume from the fronts, when I use all channel stereo it's just ok. And it does seem that different input signal effects it also. When using the tuner I get a bit louder than digital cable. I haven't tried a CD yet but will in a bit.

demaples

Sorry it's a RMB 1077... Dislexic today..

tcrossma

Oh ok, so the AVR is just acting as a pre right now. In that case, the ohm setting should make no difference as I believe it only controls the built-in amp section.

So what's the volume issue exactly? Turn it up and it's getting distorted? Are you talking about 2-channel music, just pushing the front 25's?

btw, I still can't find a RMB-7700 on google... is it a 1077?

demaples

Yes just using the avr as a pre amp. No, I have no distortion, just lack of thumping volume. I have plenty of bass, but like I said, it just doesn't rock loud in the mids and highs. I must be doing something wrong after all the money I've put into this system. For surround it's fine but to really rock to something like blues or rock I'm a bit dissapointed. I went with one 7 channel amp because of lack of space.

demaples

Yes, sorry it's 1077, doing too many things at work..

tcrossma

If there's no distortion, what happens when you turn it up even louder? Or are you saying that it just gets to a point where the volumn stops increasing?

I'm just trying to clarify exactly what you're experiencing. If it were me i'd take a step back, simplify things a bit, and try hookup up just the 25's (or even the 15's) and playing a CD. See how it sounds just powering two speakers. Then add things into the mix and see where it fails. It might be a cabling or AVR setting somewhere, or it might be that 100wpc just isn't enough for your setup.

demaples

That's what I was afraid of. I can take it to max volume and it get's loud but not LOUD if you know what I mean. If I can give you a comparison, the old Kenwood 2 channel with 100wpc and two old floor speakers and 2 bookshelves could rattle the windows, this doesn't come close to those levels.

tcrossma

Is your AVR just not turning up any higher? Does it stop at a certain db or something? Maybe it's a calibration issue? I guess what i'm trying to find out is if there's no distortion, what's stopping your from going louder? Is the AVR continuing to increase db's but the sound isn't getting any lounder? Or is it just not the "type" of loud you're looking for? Do you have your speakers set to Small in the AVR setup?

demaples

The avr goes to "max volume". I have the speakers set to full range now however have tried them at different hz with little or no change. Am just looking for good quality LOUD. It is clean music just not concert or band type loud.

unc2701

Check the maximum volume setting- page 96 of your manual.

Kajun442

Check the intelliVolume settings page 94 and speaker level calibration page 90. Also try Double Bass setting page 88.

Jim

tonyb

Usually something is wrong in the set up menu of your avr.Go through it again.Make sure your speaker wires are not touching each other at the posts or at the amp side.Make sure your cables from the pre outs on the avr to the amp are on the right ones.Common mistake to hook up to the wrong set of pre outs.And please,if you value your investment in your speakers,do not turn the volume dial all the way up to the max.Just saying...oh,and leave the avr set to 8 ohm,the amp will take care of what your speakers need.

demaples

Thanks folks, I know the wires are ok as I took great pains connecting them and double checking, and I have it on double bass, and I ran the Odysee which emits the test tone for each channel so I know the pre outs are connected correctly on the avr and amp but I'll double check the set up again. I used quality audio rca cables with gold ends for the pre outs. Or is other than high high dollar RCA's a no no? Any other help is very much appreciated.

tcrossma

I don't know what you have for Genesis speakers, but i'd try disconnecting all the speakers and hooking up the Genesis only as the fronts and see if you get the loudness you are looking for. Then swap in the 15's or 25's and check. Just try to narrow it down a bit. Good luck

demaples

Thanks tcrossma and all, I'll try that but I have to say I just made several of the changes you all recommended and the calibaration settings made a HUGE difference. I'm getting some real volume now. I'll just keep fine tuning and if there are any other recommendations I'm all ears till I go deaf. The Genesis are low end knock offs but still don't sound bad until I upgrade to either another set of 15s or possibly LSi9's. I may try to run the Genesis out of the avr and the rest through the Rotel.

be83663

demaples, how about LSiFX for the side surrounds? That would complete your system, I think! LSi9's are good too, but for the best surround effects, they recommend that the side surround speakers be placed 2-3 feet above and about 1 foot behind the listening position so that you can't pinpoint where the sound is coming from; which is good.
When I use my Oddysey, all speaker level calibrations are between -10 and -12 db, but they are still loud at a master volume level of about -10 when whatching a movie. Make sure that the 3. Audio Adjust on the SETUP MENU ,1. Tone Control is not negatives but all 0's. I think by default, they all should be set at 0's. Good luck!

F1nut

If I can give you a comparison, the old Kenwood 2 channel with 100wpc and two old floor speakers and 2 bookshelves could rattle the windows, this doesn't come close to those levels.

The efficiency of the speakers will affect how loud they will go with the amount of power supplied. I suspect that the old floor speakers are more efficient than the LSi's and that is why they play louder.