A Test. How much Voltage (power) do your speakers need? - Page 75

Pano · 12th November 2012, 02:08 AM

Thanks Chris. I think it would be about 10 volts at the -12dbFS point, but anyway you actually know the max voltage you need, which is great.

radiosmuck · 12th November 2012, 03:59 PM

I did the test,
I knew my old Tannoy speakers were efficient but this seems just a little too efficient?
I listen very often to internet radio, Live365, almost exclusively to Baroque24/7.
I downloaded both test tones on to my laptop, the same laptop I listen to internet radio.
With my usual serious listening volume unchanged I switched to the test tones, connected my meter to the speaker terminals and played the tones.
On the 0-3vac scale I got a reading of 0.4vac
Doing the arithmetic for my 15 OHM speakers, they only require .085 watts!
Perhaps this is the reason why I'm so in love with my cheap little T2020 chip amp, it's been one of lifes few pleasant surprises.
Terry

wazzy · 12th November 2012, 05:41 PM

I did the test this evening, played through my studio monitors which are 89dB 4ohms nominal, at a rather loud level I measured 11,6v

Pano · 12th November 2012, 11:22 PM

Terry, thanks for ding the test. It's surprising, isn't it? I figure you need about 1.25V RMS for you loudest levels, or 1.6V peak. The TA2020 can do that with ease.
Your levels are about in line with my Altec VOTT speakers.

Wazzy, that's loud! Should be over 100dB for the -12 tone. Do you have a really big room, or do you just play very loud in general?

wazzy · 13th November 2012, 06:02 AM

Hello Pano, yes it was rather loud, to be honest it is not a level that i play at continuously, just some times I like to Feel the music, takes me back to when we used to do live setups. It's not a big room by any means I will post the results of a more sedate listening level a bit later, got to got to work, thanks for an interesting thread.

Pano · 13th November 2012, 06:43 PM

You're welcome. It's good to get data from all sorts of setups and listening styles. Thanks.

radiosmuck · 22nd November 2012, 01:11 PM

Hi Plano,
I first tested a large pair of very efficient vintage 15 Ohm vented enclosure speakers that came out at requiring 0.4v
Yesterday, using the same setup, I connected a pair 3 way, sealed 4 Ohm "bookshelf" speakers and adjusted for my listening level.
The volume needed to be racked up a bit but only tested at requiring 1.2v
What is going on when the poll show some require over 20v? Is it about playing the loudest you speakers go or your normal listening level? Both are mentioned in the testing instructions.
Thanks, Terry

AndrewT · 22nd November 2012, 02:04 PM

The loudest listening level when using digital source/s

Pano · 22nd November 2012, 02:45 PM

Yes, as Andrew says, loudest level you use. You can do a "normal" level, if you also want that reference, but the poll (survey) is for loudest.

Please remember, your peak voltage at the volume setting you used will be 4X higher than the voltage you measure on the tone. The highest RMS voltage will be 2.82X higher than the tone. The difference you measured between the vintage speakers and the bookshelf is almost 10dB. Or 3X the voltage from one to the other. I leave you to figure out the difference in power, if you want.

Thanks for doing the test!

tktran303 · 05:05 AM

Hello Michael,

This is a very interesting post, and forgive me if my questions have already answered in the last 75 pages or so. (just joined the thread)

Several years ago I did a similar test using a 1KHz 0dBFS tone and a SPL meter, but it was uncomfortably loud and thus I didn't replicate it much.
This method is much kinder on the ears.

I was wondering a few things:

a) Is this test affected by whether or not our amplifiers are clipping?
b) Can the test be refined or further developed to figure out "How much power (RMS) do I really need?"

View Poll Results: I measured the test tone at:
2 volts or less	105	37.91%
Between 2-5 volts	98	35.38%
Between 5-10 volts	32	11.55%
Between 10-20 volts	16	5.78%
Over 20 volts.	26	9.39%
Voters: 277. You may not vote on this poll

30th November 2012, 04:39 AM	#750
tktran303 diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Perth, WA	Hello Michael, This is a very interesting post, and forgive me if my questions have already answered in the last 75 pages or so. (just joined the thread) Several years ago I did a similar test using a 1KHz 0dBFS tone and a SPL meter, but it was uncomfortably loud and thus I didn't replicate it much. This method is much kinder on the ears. I was wondering a few things: a) Is this test affected by whether or not our amplifiers are clipping? b) Can the test be refined or further developed to figure out "How much power (RMS) do I really need?" Last edited by tktran303; 30th November 2012 at 05:05 AM.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
LM3875 power up test.. and it crackles w/o speakers attached?	Keyoke	Chip Amps	9	2nd March 2012 01:39 AM
how to test chokes for current and voltage	speakerfritz	Tubes / Valves	10	20th October 2010 11:32 AM
Aleph 30 problem - half of power supply voltage on speakers output	yoke	Pass Labs	18	15th March 2009 05:18 PM
How to test speakers?	zaydenam	Multi-Way	2	27th August 2008 01:02 PM
Test speakers?	Ryssen	Multi-Way	3	2nd March 2004 10:54 PM

New To Site?	Need Help?
Register to Participate Search Privacy Statement Contact Us	Frequently Asked Questions Did you forget your password? Mark Forums Read


	Please consider donating to help us continue to serve you. Ads on/off / Custom Title / More PMs / More album space / Advanced printing & mass image saving

12th November 2012, 02:08 AM	#741
Pano diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina Blog Entries: 4	Thanks Chris. I think it would be about 10 volts at the -12dbFS point, but anyway you actually know the max voltage you need, which is great.

12th November 2012, 03:59 PM	#742
radiosmuck diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Montreal	I did the test, I knew my old Tannoy speakers were efficient but this seems just a little too efficient? I listen very often to internet radio, Live365, almost exclusively to Baroque24/7. I downloaded both test tones on to my laptop, the same laptop I listen to internet radio. With my usual serious listening volume unchanged I switched to the test tones, connected my meter to the speaker terminals and played the tones. On the 0-3vac scale I got a reading of 0.4vac Doing the arithmetic for my 15 OHM speakers, they only require .085 watts! Perhaps this is the reason why I'm so in love with my cheap little T2020 chip amp, it's been one of lifes few pleasant surprises. Terry

12th November 2012, 05:41 PM	#743
wazzy diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2007	I did the test this evening, played through my studio monitors which are 89dB 4ohms nominal, at a rather loud level I measured 11,6v

12th November 2012, 11:22 PM	#744
Pano diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina Blog Entries: 4	Terry, thanks for ding the test. It's surprising, isn't it? I figure you need about 1.25V RMS for you loudest levels, or 1.6V peak. The TA2020 can do that with ease. Your levels are about in line with my Altec VOTT speakers. Wazzy, that's loud! Should be over 100dB for the -12 tone. Do you have a really big room, or do you just play very loud in general?

13th November 2012, 06:02 AM	#745
wazzy diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2007	Hello Pano, yes it was rather loud, to be honest it is not a level that i play at continuously, just some times I like to Feel the music, takes me back to when we used to do live setups. It's not a big room by any means I will post the results of a more sedate listening level a bit later, got to got to work, thanks for an interesting thread.

13th November 2012, 06:43 PM	#746
Pano diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina Blog Entries: 4	You're welcome. It's good to get data from all sorts of setups and listening styles. Thanks.

22nd November 2012, 01:11 PM	#747
radiosmuck diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Montreal	Hi Plano, I first tested a large pair of very efficient vintage 15 Ohm vented enclosure speakers that came out at requiring 0.4v Yesterday, using the same setup, I connected a pair 3 way, sealed 4 Ohm "bookshelf" speakers and adjusted for my listening level. The volume needed to be racked up a bit but only tested at requiring 1.2v What is going on when the poll show some require over 20v? Is it about playing the loudest you speakers go or your normal listening level? Both are mentioned in the testing instructions. Thanks, Terry

22nd November 2012, 02:04 PM	#748
AndrewT diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scottish Borders	The loudest listening level when using digital source/s

22nd November 2012, 02:45 PM	#749
Pano diyAudio Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: North Carolina Blog Entries: 4	Yes, as Andrew says, loudest level you use. You can do a "normal" level, if you also want that reference, but the poll (survey) is for loudest. Please remember, your peak voltage at the volume setting you used will be 4X higher than the voltage you measure on the tone. The highest RMS voltage will be 2.82X higher than the tone. The difference you measured between the vintage speakers and the bookshelf is almost 10dB. Or 3X the voltage from one to the other. I leave you to figure out the difference in power, if you want. Thanks for doing the test!