• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

If I keep my receiver at the same volume setting

E

enwar3

Golden Member
Like say I plug in my ipod, and music plays through. Then I plug my computer in and the music plays louder. Does wattage sent to the speaker depend on how loud a source signal is, or just the volume level set by the receiver?

Or in other words, if I take a really really small signal that I can't hear unless I turn all the way up, and I turn the receiver all the way up, am I sending wattage corresponding to the volume setting on the receiver (max wattage) or corresponding to actual decibel output (very small)?
 
The wattage being sent out the speaker wires is going to be proportional to the dB output from your speakers.

The volume level of the source and the receiver are going to send a signal to the amps to send to the speakers.

Turning the receiver volume up all the way doesn't mean it's sending max wattage. If the volume is turned up all the way but there's no signal and the speakers are silent, the power output would be nothing (or as close as your receiver gets with its noise floor). Power output is going to vary a lot when you're playing something, but is usually just a few watts or less.

ipod set to low volume + reciever turned up really high giving you 80dB output
is going to be the same wattage sent out as
ipod set to highest volume + receiver turned down giving you 80dB output

If your speakers are playing louder, the amps are putting out more power.

With the different options you have for volume levels on devices, it's going to vary what the best settings are. Depending on your source device, you may be running a clipped signal / higher distortion if you turn the source device up to max.
 
With home theater amplification you tend to have low current amplifiers so wattage output is heavily based on the voltage level (preamplifier gain).

If the signal is just low you need more gain to achieve the same loudness as a "louder" file. The actual power output is the same, it's entirely based on how much physical energy is being produced. Sometimes you hear hiss or static when you turn up a quiet source signal, if you have good confidence on the quality of your source, then this is generally a sign of a crappy preamplifier unit in your receiver.
 
While turning it all the way up on a quiet file might not kill your amp, can't say the same about the pre-amp, lol!
 
The volume knob does not control power, it controls gain. Max volume on the knob does not equal max wattage.

The volume displayed is usually the gain of the preamp. And then the output amp has fixed gain. So say the output amp has +15dB, then if your receiver says -15dB, you are getting -15+15dB total or 0dB, so you are sending out the same voltage as the input.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top