Odd B&W 703 Finding...

[joetama]

So, in my search for some power metering to put on my system I purchased some really good conditions volt meters. However, when I put them on my system the needle barely moved. So, wondering if the meters were junk or not I measured the voltage with my DMM, this is where things got weird. With my system at normal listening volume I only had a reading of 1 volt max. When I cranked the volume to the loudest I am comfortable turning up my 703 I only read a voltage of 5 volts. SO, I got curious, of how much power do I actually use in my system. (Oh by the way, I'm a younger lad so it isn't like I enjoy listening to my music a 60 dB )

So today I swept the impedance of my 703, measured the voltage of sin waves at various frequencies and found some really really odd things.

I almost think that I am doing something wrong.

Here are some of my findings:

Here is the Impedance of the 703.



And the Excel Sheets.



So unless I am confused I am using less than a watt?

Interesting stuff I must say.

[Briz vegas]

http://www.ultimateavmag.com/speakersystems/1004bw/index4.html

Not much surprising there.

At 88db efficiency you get 88 decibels at one metre from one watt of amplifier power. 88 decibels is fairly loud. It drops off with distance of course (6db each time you double the distance) so what you hear will depend on distance to the listening chair etc. The stereo pair adds 3db and the room can add about 4 db - which probably puts you back to around 88 to 82 db at your listening position.

If you are getting 82db in your listening position
85db 2w
88db 4w
91db 8w
94db 16w
97db 32w
100db 64w
103 db 128w
106 db your 1080 (or my CJ CA200) runs out of legs. With your speakers out on the deck you would loose the room loading so 100 103db ends the party.

Now we have to factor in some headroom 3db for a really crap hot modern recording 6db for something a little more dynamic - that gets us down to 94db maybe to fit in the peaks - 90db to be safe. :cry:

Given that your hearing cops damage above 75db maybe its a good thing not to try and fry your home hifi - I reckon 80db is fine, although I find each upgrade leads to worse listening habits as loud it so clean and amazingly good you do not notice you are stuffing your ears.

Here endith the lesson from grumpy middle aged dude. Hope I got my calcs right.................hang on you are talking volts, not watts........where is my google - I will have to look this one up.

[george_k]

although I find each upgrade leads to worse listening habits as loud it so clean and amazingly good you do not notice you are stuffing your ears.

I completely agree and I'm guilty as charged :-)

[joetama]

I completely agree and I'm guilty as charged :-)

I enjoy the upgrades so that I can listen to more dynamics and clarity with less volume.

Where I lived for 2 years the walls were paper thin and my neighbors were extra whiney. So, I got used to listening at a low volume. Everytime I turn my system up I get a odd feeling as if I am doing something bad... :evil:

Atleast my place now has a cement wall between me and the neigbor! :T