On Mon, 29 Sep 2003 16:21:24 +0200, Lionel
wrote:

dave weil wrote:
On Mon, 29 Sep 2003 10:46:59 +0200, Lionel
wrote:


Ok dave it sounds like a good serious job.
Just a question please what about comparative test high/low power ?


Do you mean from amplifier power or volume?

Volume.
Is it a stupid question ?

No, I just wasn't sure what you meant when you used the word "power".
That's what I *thought* you meant, but I wasn't sure.

To answer your question, I went to the other room and listened to
several quick selections at levels averaging around 100 dB (with peaks
to about 108 dB) at about 2.5 meters. This seemed about the practical
limit to the speakers (equates to peaks approaching 108 dB at 1
meter). At these levels, the speaker got hard-edged and going even a
little more made me nervous as I started to detect the start of
breakup. I don't know if this was the amp approaching clipping or not,
but I ascribe it to the speaker. Since the speaker is relatively
efficient, I would expect that those dB levels, the amp wouldn't be
struggling. These observations are based on a couple of rock discs,
Lucinda Williams Car Wheels on a Gravel Road, Neil Finn's One Nil and
Son volt's Trace. The most comfortable "loud" level (basically the
level I listen to when I want loud) was low 90s with peaks at 100 or
so. This was plenty loud for "rocking out" but I can imagine wanting
to go higher on the rare occasion (I do every once in a while).

Rough averages of 100 dB at 2.5 meters with rock music was VERY loud
in this room. However, it was different with chamber classical. A
"realistic" level was low to mid 80s average, with peaks around 92 or
so. I used my beloved Bach's Overture No.1 from Pinnock and the
English concert. I decided to see what would happen if I set it at a
most unrealistic level of 100 dB/108 dB peaks. Needless to say, the
speaker didn't exhibit the same "approaching breakup" edginess as
before. It *did* harden up a bit but not to the degree as before
either. I couldn't bring myself to take it any higher with that music.
I just wasn't in the mood to destroy it. The music that is.

Hope this answers your question.

PS, I did most of my evaluation listening between an average of 80 and
95 dB. If you'd like, I can listen at lower levels as well. And
finally, I should mention that *all* of my commentary is with the
Denon tone controls defeated and in stereo mode.