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bngsdad
06-17-2004, 06:39 AM
Front- B&W 602S3
Center- B&W LCR600S3
Rear- PSB Alpha B
Sub- PSB Subsonic5
Receiver- Onkyo TX-DS484 (55watts per channel)
Area- 20x20sqft.

I have ordered the Onkyo TX-SR601 (85watts per cahnnel) to replace my current receiver.

Question:
a. Will there be a big difference in the quality of sound given the 55 to 85 increase in wattage?
b. Will it be enough for a 20x20sqft. room? If not, what should I do?
c. Another rookie question? Hope you don't mind

Thanks in advance

markw
06-17-2004, 06:54 AM
To get a barely audiable increase of three decibles, one needs to double the currently available power. To double the apparant volume, one needs ten times the currently available power.

It might help a just a little on peaks but overall, baring any other significant improvements, I'd say no, don't expect an epiphany.

bngsdad
06-17-2004, 06:28 PM
Thanks markw. My goal is to have this big improvement in sound but I'm kinda working on a budget ($300-$500). Any suggestions?

bngsdad
06-17-2004, 06:30 PM
I'm sorry, is it possible given the budget?

markw
06-17-2004, 06:46 PM
What do you find lacking now? If you can't really pinpoint what you are lacking, then perhaps you might save up until you can really make a step in the right direction, once you figure out what that is.

Does your current receiver offer he option of using an external power amp by having pre-outs on the back?

Beckman
06-17-2004, 09:23 PM
Thanks markw. My goal is to have this big improvement in sound but I'm kinda working on a budget ($300-$500). Any suggestions?

Try room treatments:

http://www.audiorevolution.com/equip/cheaptreatments/

http://www.acousticroomsystems.com/ce-pro.pdf

http://www.acousticalsolutions.com/products/traps/index.asp

http://www.recordingtipoftheday.com/standing-waves-physics.htm

Room treatments will help ensure better listening from different listening positions, and bass traps will help reduce that annoying rumble that you sometimes mite get from your sub when it hits just the right frequency.

skeptic
06-18-2004, 05:24 AM
While using room treatments can improve the quality of sound by absorbing reflections, it reduces the quantity of sound for exactly the same rason. The deader the room, the more powerful the sound system will have to be to achieve a given level of sound at a given distance. And the difference between a relatively live room and a relatively dead room can be considerable. Keep that in mind as you add more and more sound absorbing material.