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195 Posts
I know, I know... too much is never enough, especially when it comes to volume or bass.
But seriously, I recently upgraded my high-end two-channel system to 7.1. The front L-R are large Dynaudio WMTMW towers that are quite efficient ([email protected]). I'm driving them with Bryston 4BST. 400+Wpc (26 dbW) into the 4-ohm Dynaudios yields 117+dB. Each speaker. Without room gain. Center is a slightly smaller Dynaudio "Twynn" (~90dB/1W) driven by 400W.
My question is... do I really need anywhere near that output capability in the surrounds? They're also Dynaudio, nicely timbre matched, but much smaller. They're about 87 db @1W. I'm driving them with 200wpc, but am considering going to a Bryston 8B (4 x 120W=21 dbW) to save rack space and "brand match" the rest of the system. The result would be surrounds with a full 10dB lower capability than the LCR --but still respectable 107 dB. Is this wise? Is there some sort of "reference level" the movie industry uses that defines the max output requirement of surrounds?
BTW, I have two large (280 l) vented, equalized subs with JBL 2245H 18" drivers, so bass is not an issue.
But seriously, I recently upgraded my high-end two-channel system to 7.1. The front L-R are large Dynaudio WMTMW towers that are quite efficient ([email protected]). I'm driving them with Bryston 4BST. 400+Wpc (26 dbW) into the 4-ohm Dynaudios yields 117+dB. Each speaker. Without room gain. Center is a slightly smaller Dynaudio "Twynn" (~90dB/1W) driven by 400W.
My question is... do I really need anywhere near that output capability in the surrounds? They're also Dynaudio, nicely timbre matched, but much smaller. They're about 87 db @1W. I'm driving them with 200wpc, but am considering going to a Bryston 8B (4 x 120W=21 dbW) to save rack space and "brand match" the rest of the system. The result would be surrounds with a full 10dB lower capability than the LCR --but still respectable 107 dB. Is this wise? Is there some sort of "reference level" the movie industry uses that defines the max output requirement of surrounds?
BTW, I have two large (280 l) vented, equalized subs with JBL 2245H 18" drivers, so bass is not an issue.