RAAL tower and Sierra 2 volume level matching

[vicky]

I have RAAL towers and have ordered sierra 2 pair and a sierra 2 center.

Since Towers are more efficient than sierra 2, it will sound louder as compared to sierra 2 for same volume levels in the receiver.

My receiver is really old (yamaha DSP-A1) and does not have settings to individually control the volume level for each channel.

There is only 1 option to decrease MAIN LEVEL (left/right) volume by -10dB.

So if i use RAAL towers with sierra 2 center, will it work just fine ? i suspect that towers will sound louder as compared to center and could be a issue.

Is someone already using sierra 2 as center with towers.

Dave can you please help.

[Beave]

Yes, the towers are/will be louder than your center. Since most dialogue comes from the center, it will be somewhat overwhelmed by effects that come from the L/R channels.

Is the MAIN LEVEL option a simple on/off of -10dB, or does it allow any change in that 10dB range? If it's -10dB only, it will lower the L/R levels too much and then you'll have the opposite problem. If it allows any change between 0 and 10, then somewhere around -4dB (give or take) will be about right.

If you can't control it that way, the only thing I can think to do is to get a new receiver, unfortunately. Look for one on closeout sale, or find a relatively new model (say, within the last 3-4 years) on eBay or craigslist or something.

[vicky]

Unfortunately the main level option is only ON/OFF of -10 dB :(
i will probably have to get a new receiver.

thank you for reply.

[BrianNLS]

Unfortunately the main level option is only ON/OFF of -10 dB :(
i will probably have to get a new receiver.

thank you for reply.

Agree that is your best remedy. With the $$$ invested in all those beautiful Ascend Acoustics speakers, just a $$ spend on a good AVR to drive them properly will really pay you back in a big way. Good luck!

[vicky]

i have yamaha DSP A1 which was flagship avr of its time.
It is powerful and have very warm sound which i love.

I tried marantz and emotiva xpa but i still felt that they were not able to beat DSP A1 sound signature and were little harsh comparatively.

I am very happy with it and didn't want to change it.

So maybe i think i can add a pre/pro to it and still use the amp of dsp A1.

[mikesiskav]

Your Yamaha DSP A1 DOES have individual speaker level adjustment in 1dB increments. Take a look at the manual, page 31:

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/339843/Yamaha-Dsp-A1.html?page=31#manual

[vicky]

Your Yamaha DSP A1 DOES have individual speaker level adjustment in 1dB increments. Take a look at the manual, page 31:

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/339843/Yamaha-Dsp-A1.html?page=31#manual

Amazing :D .. i didnt knew this as the settings to do this doesn't seems straightforward from the menu.

Thanks a ton. i will try this out today :) ..

[Beave]

Your Yamaha DSP A1 DOES have individual speaker level adjustment in 1dB increments. Take a look at the manual, page 31:

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/339843/Yamaha-Dsp-A1.html?page=31#manual

Nice work!

[davef]

I have RAAL towers and have ordered sierra 2 pair and a sierra 2 center.

Since Towers are more efficient than sierra 2, it will sound louder as compared to sierra 2 for same volume levels in the receiver.

My receiver is really old (yamaha DSP-A1) and does not have settings to individually control the volume level for each channel.

There is only 1 option to decrease MAIN LEVEL (left/right) volume by -10dB.

So if i use RAAL towers with sierra 2 center, will it work just fine ? i suspect that towers will sound louder as compared to center and could be a issue.

Is someone already using sierra 2 as center with towers.

Dave can you please help.

Vicky,

Your information is incorrect. I have used the DSP-A1 in installations many many years ago (it was top of the line 2 decades ago). All Dolby Digital receivers / processors offer the ability to adjust the levels of front/center/rears/subwoofer etc -- it is actually part of the specification.

It is a bit complicated compared to the way it is handled with more modern AVR's, but I managed to find the manual for you and here is the procedure:

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/339843/Yamaha-Dsp-A1.html?page=31#manual

Hope this helps!

[davef]

Your Yamaha DSP A1 DOES have individual speaker level adjustment in 1dB increments. Take a look at the manual, page 31:

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/339843/Yamaha-Dsp-A1.html?page=31#manual

LOL - I see I am a bit late to the party... thanks!

[mikesiskav]

LOL - I see I am a bit late to the party... thanks!

:cool:

[vicky]

Vicky,

Your information is incorrect. I have used the DSP-A1 in installations many many years ago (it was top of the line 2 decades ago). All Dolby Digital receivers / processors offer the ability to adjust the levels of front/center/rears/subwoofer etc -- it is actually part of the specification.

It is a bit complicated compared to the way it is handled with more modern AVR's, but I managed to find the manual for you and here is the procedure:

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/339843/Yamaha-Dsp-A1.html?page=31#manual

Hope this helps!

thank you very much Dave.. got it :)