Hi all,

I originally bought the system featured here;

http://www.sony.co.uk/product/hcs-cinema-surround-kit/ht-ddwg800#pageType=TechnicalSpecs

I have now replaced the stock speakers with the Q Acoustics 1010i Package and they sound great, however I noticed I have to push more volume on these to get the same volume on the Sony speakers.

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/3676

I still have plenty of volume to get these speakers to beyond a comfortable level, however I just wondered why they are different.

For the Q Acoustic speakers it recommends the following for power;

1010i Fronts & Rears: 15 - 75
1000Ci Centre: 25 - 100
1000Si Subwoofer: 100 watts built-in

On the technical specs for my amp it says the following;

6Ohms 1kHz (per channel)
135 W/ch
6Ohms 1kHz (L+R)
90 W + 90 W
(6Ohms 1kHz) THD
1%
Power Output (Total)
135 W x5 + 190 W = 865 W

Basically I just want to make sure that this amp has the power to get the best out of these speakers. This amp does everything that I need however I will upgrade if the speakers require it.

Thanks to anyone for taking the time to help. :)

Most likely no. These entry level amps put out about 25 watts per channel max for all channels driven. If you turn it up too much you CAN damage your new speakers so I would refrain from turning the volume dial to max.

Would suggest a receiver upgrade

Most likely no. These entry level amps put out about 25 watts per channel max for all channels driven. If you turn it up too much you CAN damage your new speakers so I would refrain from turning the volume dial to max.

Would suggest a receiver upgrade

The specs on the sony site do say it will supply up to 865 watts total and 135 watts per each of the 5 channels...

It's a crummy receiver, don't get me wrong, but it's not a bose lifestyle or a home theater standard "receiver" from some of the HTIB kits that are out there.

The new speakers you bought show 75 watt max power to them, and also have really crummy sensitivity (86db) and your sub isn't even really a sub - it's only capable of reproducing sound above 45Hz...there are good bookshelves that will do better than that sub.

Most likely the difference in volume is because whatever speakers sony gave you in the kit originally had better sensitivity and higher wattage capabilities than what you have now.

Honestly, if I were you, I'd scrap it all and start over. Your receiver has no digital processing or functionality whatsoever, and it's fixed crossover for the sub is 150hz..in addition to multiple other things I see on the sheet that just make me cringe, between the speakers and the receiver both.

I hate to tell you that you wasted your hard-earned money, but you wasted your hard-earned money.

I know the amp isn't of the best nature but it does everything I need as stated.

The speakers are currently regarded as the best you can get for under £750 in the uk.

What Hi-Fi sound and vision is the leading magazine when it comes to these sorts of things here.

If you look at all the 5 star ratings for them I would have to disagree as everyone who I have spoken to has high regard for them.

Either way it would seem that the speakers are fine with this system, I just wanted to check. :)

If you look at all the 5 star ratings for them I would have to disagree as everyone who I have spoken to has high regard for them.

BOSE have had 5 star ratings some where. BOSE has thousands of owners would have high regards for their BOSE setups.

My point is a simple one.....Opinion can be meaningless and ratings can be a joke.

BOSE have had 5 star ratings some where. BOSE has thousands of owners would have high regards for their BOSE setups.

My point is a simple one.....Opinion can be meaningless and ratings can be a joke.

I accept your point but these speakers came out in 2007 and are still getting best speaker under £750 awards to this day so everyone can't have it wrong, plus these are constantly recommended by people on Uk audio/video forums so what I did really was go with the masses on what was recommended for my budget which was £350.

Anyway I didn't come on here to justify my purchases which I am happy with, I just wanted to make sure the speakers were compatible. These speakers are head and shoulders above the Sony ones that came with the system.

If I were you, I'd look into a subwoofer that's actually a subwoofer - it'll be the best upgrade you can make on that system, bar none - especially since your speakers have such high crossover points.

Since you don't need to worry about matching brands of speakers to your subs, you can get something that will reproduce sound down around 25Hz (make sure it will hit 25Hz at volume) and you will see a 1000% improvement in the sound of that system overall. Frontfiring/downfiring is irrelevant.

And they are right, don't turn the volume up too high, you have the potential to destroy your speakers if you do.

If I were you, I'd look into a subwoofer that's actually a subwoofer - it'll be the best upgrade you can make on that system, bar none - especially since your speakers have such high crossover points.

Since you don't need to worry about matching brands of speakers to your subs, you can get something that will reproduce sound down around 25Hz (make sure it will hit 25Hz at volume) and you will see a 1000% improvement in the sound of that system overall. Frontfiring/downfiring is irrelevant.

And they are right, don't turn the volume up too high, you have the potential to destroy your speakers if you do.

Not that I listen to the speakers at crazy high volume but how are you supposed to know when loud is too loud?

The amp goes to around 70, 35 is pretty loud and anything over 45 would be uncomfortable. Are there warning signs of any kind?

Upgrade your AVR now. That Sony would be lucky to put out 20w a channel/ 5 channels driven (I am being very generous here). Sony's ES5400 which is over $2,000 can't put out 30w channel/ 5 driven.

Add to that your speakers have a very low sensitivity (86db). I would bet the Sony speakers were higher sensitivity (89db or higher) and that is why you have to turn up the volume (more watts to = same sound level).

If you are getting close to full power you are sending distortion to your speakers, which will break them. If you spent 400 pounds on them you would be crazy to keep driving them with that Sony piece of crap. I would calm down on the volume until you replace it. Look at Harmon Kardon, Onkyo, and Denon as they are pretty true to their stated power numbers. Sony, Pioneer, and Yamaha usually are under 20% of their stated power numbers with 5 channels driven.

Others have good suggestions too. Replacing the sub would really improve your system

Upgrade your AVR now. That Sony would be lucky to put out 20w a channel/ 5 channels driven (I am being very generous here). Sony's ES5400 which is over $2,000 can't put out 30w channel/ 5 driven.

Add to that your speakers have a very low sensitivity (86db). I would bet the Sony speakers were higher sensitivity (89db or higher) and that is why you have to turn up the volume (more watts to = same sound level).

If you are getting close to full power you are sending distortion to your speakers, which will break them. If you spent 400 pounds on them you would be crazy to keep driving them with that Sony piece of crap. I would calm down on the volume until you replace it. Look at Harmon Kardon, Onkyo, and Denon as they are pretty true to their stated power numbers. Sony, Pioneer, and Yamaha usually are under 20% of their stated power numbers with 5 channels driven.

Others have good suggestions too. Replacing the sub would really improve your system

I have no problems with the volume or having any distortion though, I haven't gone past 45 out of a possible 70 in volume terms and everything was fine.

This package was the highest regarded one in my price bracket for a 5.1 package, and I am more than happy with them, I appreciate that there are better speakers and subs available but these suit my needs.

I will look to upgrade my AVR at some point but as stated this does everything that I need as well as having a HDMI switch, I can also pass through the HD audio from my PS3 to this for HD audio.

If I was to upgrade my AVR it would only be to for power per channel reasons and I don't get any problems with this one at 45 its more than loud enough I was only concerned about blowing the speakers.

I find it quite funny how much my amp offends people on here :)

I'm just confused as to where he's getting the numbers for the sony receiver (especially the ES model) and it's actual wattage vs rated wattage?

Any recorded evidence, or is this just "sony hate"?

I wouldn't use a sony avr either, but I'd like to see cold hard facts and not just someone's opinion.

I am happy to learn why the volume is 7-8 clicks lower on my new speakers, I don't really know what to believe when it comes to actual rms power per channel output on this system but at 45 it sounds loud and distortion free.

As long as I'm not going to blow the speakers then i'm happy.

I am happy to learn why the volume is 7-8 clicks lower on my new speakers, I don't really know what to believe when it comes to actual rms power per channel output on this system but at 45 it sounds loud and distortion free.

As long as I'm not going to blow the speakers then i'm happy.


Don't turn it all the way up and you will not blow those speakers.

I am happy to learn why the volume is 7-8 clicks lower on my new speakers, I don't really know what to believe when it comes to actual rms power per channel output on this system but at 45 it sounds loud and distortion free.

As long as I'm not going to blow the speakers then i'm happy.

My only guess is that the sensitivity on the sony speakers you had was higher. Sensitivity is how much wattage a speaker needs to "get loud". The higher the sensitivity, the more the speaker is driven with a single watt. So a speaker with a sensitivity of 90db will be louder than a speaker with a sensitivity of 86db, with the same power output (volume level) from the receiver. Basically, higher sensitivity = easier for the receiver to drive. Don't sweat it.

no specs on the speakers that came with the original system, so god is probably the only one who knows for sure at this point.

Just out of interest,

What amp would people recommend, something like the Denon 1909?

The 1910 is around £450 which is a bit steep for me at the moment.

Baring in mind that this current amp does everything I need what would I gain by actually having the Denon for example?

Other than on board decoding of HD audio

Just out of interest,

What amp would people recommend, something like the Denon 1909?

The 1910 is around £450 which is a bit steep for me at the moment.

Baring in mind that this current amp does everything I need what would I gain by actually having the Denon for example?

Other than on board decoding of HD audio

The 1909 isnt going to have a better amp then one you listed already for your purpose (IMO).

You speakers can not handle many watts and your AVRs do not put out many watts. Don't crank the AVR and you will be fine.

The 1909 isnt going to have a better amp then one you listed already for your purpose (IMO).

You speakers can not handle many watts and your AVRs do not put out many watts. Don't crank the AVR and you will be fine.

I would have thought that everyone has to follow those principles though, I would imagine from reading this thread that although my center speaker is rated 100w that my amp would not actually be able to push 100w to it.

Therefore if I tried to max it out it would distort and damage the speaker.

If 100 watts isnt very much then you guys must be using some serious equipment. I dont think that my neighbours would be to impressed.

You have to remember that most brits live in Semi detached houses so have neighbours to contend with ;)

Are you telling me that you can turn yours up max and there or no ill effects ?

Thanks for the replies also