I've noticed during the past few days that my center channel isn't as loud as my mains are. It's more dominate in some movies more than others. Yesterday, during my midnight insomnia, I wondered what the sensitivity in my center was compared to my mains. I did some research and found out that my center is 91db and my mains are 93db. My question is do I need to adjust my processor center level by 2db to match the mains? I don't have an spl meter right now to compare the difference so that's out of the question. My mains are boston acoustic vr3's and my center is a vr12. I have a sony TA-E9000es for another week or so until I get my integra DTC-9.8 that I have on order. My amp is a rotel RMB-1095.

Thank you for any help that you may provide.

I have the same issue and I'm always adjusting the reciever for speaker loudness etc. I came to realize every friggin' piece of source material sounds different ie satellite vs locals vs dvd. So I just calibrated to the UltraHD channel, and everytime I have doubts with something go back to that channel to feel better.

Until you spend $50 on an SPL meter, you're flying blind. What you could do is kick the center up 2 dB to compensate for the sensitivity difference, and that might help, but that's not the whole story. Your center may measure differently at the listening position because of speaker placement, reflections, etc. Put on a disguise, go to Radio Shack, and buy an analog SPL meter and a 9-volt battery.

Put on a disguise, go to Radio Shack, and buy an analog SPL meter and a 9-volt battery.



:D

Yeah, the problem isnt as easy as that. For instance, if your center speaker tweeter is not on the same axis as your front main's tweeters, you are affecting its output. An extension of this idea is that if your ears are at a severe angle from the tweeter (greater than 5 degrees) of the center channel, you are going to have a compromised sound. Additionally, if your room's first reflections are not absorbed, they could be interacting with the sound before it hits your ears causing problems as you have.

You definitely should get a SPL meter so that you know what you are getting at your seat.

If the placement of your listening area and speakers are compromised, then you may have to just settle for compromised sound.

Yeah, the problem isnt as easy as that. For instance, if your center speaker tweeter is not on the same axis as your front main's tweeters, you are affecting its output.

That's why he needs to use an SPL meter, held straight up where his head normally is. I alluded to that in my previous post. That's why you can't just dial in another 2 dB to match sensitivity. Plus, the increments of "volume" on the receiver don't relate to dB.

Is 88 db Sensitive enough for a 20-30W reciever? or should I go with 90+ DB?

That's why he needs to use an SPL meter, held straight up where his head normally is. I alluded to that in my previous post. That's why you can't just dial in another 2 dB to match sensitivity. Plus, the increments of "volume" on the receiver don't relate to dB.

I'm pretty sure I mentioned that in my post...? We do agree, SPL meter is number one priority.

Is 88 db Sensitive enough for a 20-30W reciever? or should I go with 90+ DB?

It depends on many other factors... (including but not limited to)

How loud do you play?
How far away do you sit?
How large is your room?
How is the speaker load-wise? (How low does the impedence swing?)

e.g.
If the receiver doesn't have a very robust amplifier (can't handle high current draw without overheating) you will have trouble running speakers with low impedence characteristics. Higher sensitivity could help out, but your needs (see above questions) may just simply exceed the help higher sensitivity could offer.

It depends on many other factors... (including but not limited to)

How loud do you play?
How far away do you sit?
How large is your room?
How is the speaker load-wise? (How low does the impedence swing?)

e.g.
If the receiver doesn't have a very robust amplifier (can't handle high current draw without overheating) you will have trouble running speakers with low impedence characteristics. Higher sensitivity could help out, but your needs (see above questions) may just simply exceed the help higher sensitivity could offer.

The Impedance isnt listed on the back but I assume its 8 ohms and It's a MARANTZ/supercope so it's a pretty robust lil receiver.

The Impedance isnt listed on the back but I assume its 8 ohms and It's a MARANTZ/supercope so it's a pretty robust lil receiver.

Unfortunately, impedance changes with frequency. Unless the speaker's behavior is known, its tough to make a judgment call to that effect. However, if you know your amp can double into 4 ohms then there is a good chance that it will handle your speakers no problem.

The obvious next important questions are "how loud you want, and how big of room you have/how far you sit from the speakers". If you want rock concert levels, you will need as high sensitivity as possible. If you want background level, sensitivity wont really matter in the range you are looking.