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ChrisC
06-27-2005, 01:30 PM
Does anyone know what spec. indicates or gives you a good idea how loud a speaker can get?

BradJudy
06-27-2005, 01:54 PM
The main spec to look at is sensitivity/effeciency (high the number, the more db per watt a speaker produces), but the impedance also matters (cheaper amps will have a harder time driving speakers with a low impedance).

For example, the CMT-340 has a sensitivity of 91db with 1 watt at 1 meter (the standard for this measurement). (The CBM-170 is 89db and the HTM-200 is 87db). Speakers typically range in the 80s and 90s on sensitivity, but there are extreme examples beyond that range. Horn speakers can be over 100db @ 1W/1m. I can't recall the last time I saw one that was in the 70s.

That said, neither spec is any indication about how good a speaker sounds. :)

ChrisC
06-28-2005, 01:17 PM
The spec's for this speaker are similar, so how would one know if one speaker compared to another would play louder

2-way in a bass reflex enclosure, bookshelf or standmounting (recommended)
Woofer: 1 x 130 mm. (5")
Tweeter: 1 x 25 mm. (1")
Nominal impedance: 8 ohm
Crossover frequency: 6 kHz
Sensitivity: 90 dB/W/1m
Frequency response: 60 Hz-20 kHz (± 3 dB)
Amplifier recommended power: 60 (rms)- 120 (max) watt

curtis
06-28-2005, 01:35 PM
There really isn't a way of telling by looking at the manufacturers' specs.

You need to find a common third party that has tested and measured the speakers. What you are looking for are distortion vs SPL measurements.

Otherwise, you need to compare the speakers side by side, same room, same equipment.

And to reiterate what Brad posted, how loud a speaker can get is no indication on how good it sounds.

BradJudy
06-28-2005, 01:58 PM
Given the close sensitivities (89 and 90), the best that can be said is that they will be very close in SPL level for a given power input. As Curtis pointed out, distortion vs SPL is a spec that generally isn't provided by speaker companies, but is sometimes covered in third-party analysis (although often not). This is an important factor for the output continuing to sound good at high volumes.

ChrisC
06-28-2005, 03:29 PM
Thanks guys,
I understand louder will not be better, but one of the reasons I am looking at new speakers is because my current ones do not play that loud when watching movies

curtis
06-28-2005, 03:35 PM
what are your current speakers?

How far away from the speakers do you sit? How big is the room? And what are you driving them with?

ChrisC
06-28-2005, 03:49 PM
The room is about 12x15
Seating is about 8-10 feet away
Running Triangle Titus with a Marantz sr5400
Seems to get plenty loud for music, maybe I just dont listen to music that loud, but while playing movies it just cant seem to get up to a good level

curtis
06-28-2005, 03:54 PM
Nothing difficult about that room size and seating distance. CBM-170's should handle that with no problem and drive you out of the room. Triangle makes some good stuff.

what part of the sound seems to be lacking?

Is everything calibrated? What happens if you turn the volume up, does the sound get distorted?

ChrisC
06-28-2005, 04:19 PM
no its a small area so it shouldnt be an issue. I was thinking it was my receiver but I have other speakers before and they seemed like they reached a much more "loud" state when driven to the same level

curtis
06-28-2005, 04:23 PM
Depending on the speakers and their efficiency ratings, their "loudness" will not be the same when the dial on the reciever is in the same position. This means, the less efficient the speaker, the more power it will take to reach the same SPL as a more efficient speaker....this is something that Brad referred to in one of his posts.

That said.....it is OK to turn the volume up on the receiver to make the speakers play as loud as your previous speakers.

JohnnyCasaba
06-28-2005, 04:52 PM
Are you using a 5.1 setup for movies?

ChrisC
06-28-2005, 04:57 PM
4.1, I havent picked up the center channel

Quinn
06-28-2005, 04:59 PM
Can you borrow anther receiver to try? I have a Marantz 7200 and independent testing rates the 7200 at 27watts per channel with all channels driven. Not Marantz's 105 watts in their specs.

ChrisC
06-28-2005, 05:05 PM
What!!

JohnnyCasaba
06-28-2005, 05:06 PM
OK, are you running them small and crossing over to the sub at 60 or 80 hz?

ChrisC
06-28-2005, 05:09 PM
small and 80hz

JohnnyCasaba
06-28-2005, 05:20 PM
Seems you have things setup right, maybe Quinn's suggestion is a good one. Maybe you could pull out your SPL meter to see what kind of levels you are looking for with movies.

curtis
06-28-2005, 05:37 PM
also make sure you have the center channel on the receiver set to "none".

bikeman
06-28-2005, 06:18 PM
also make sure you have the center channel on the receiver set to "none".

I inadvertently found out what a difference this makes. I had disconnected my 340C but didn't change the setting in my receiver. Dialogue almost disapperared. Set it to none and the world was back in balance.

David

ChrisC
06-28-2005, 06:34 PM
Im 99% positive that it is set to none, but it never hurts to double check

Quinn
06-28-2005, 08:22 PM
It takes doubling the watts for every 3dB increase in volume if all else stays the same. So the difference between 27 watts and 105 is just 6dB.