Problem with Home Theater Volume


This is driving me absolutely nuts, and is getting worse with time.

In surround sound modes my system has a major lack in overall volume. Set at max, I mean max, the loudest passages in a movie hits 95db at most. The problem is getting worse and worse and I am at a loss.

I have tried different DVD players, different digital cables/inputs, different power conditioners, different ac circuit for the pre amp to be plugged into, different amp ac circuit, different power cords. The late night mode is not on, I have reset all the settings to factory defaults in case I goofed something up.

Any ideas? The amp is 200x7 only using 5 channels and the speakers sensitivity is 90.5db.

Thanks
Marty
marty9876
One interesting thing learned, with the rear speakers turned off the processor seems to cut the output for all channels by 5db's. I flip the settings and can hear a difference.

Reset all settings to factory defaults, with rears on(I physically do not have any hooked up), the opening battle in "Gladiator" maxes out at 100-105db's. The voltage output on the amp end is between 30-35volts. This is loud, just worries me that this is at the max volume settings, -0. A month before -10 was producing insane spl levels.

The unit does not have an automatic attenuating, the reset to defaults should clear this I would assume.

Thanks for the help.
Marty
From what it sounds like, the speakers are damaged. Do you have another pair of speakers to play around with ? With 35 volts hitting a woofer, the cone should be popping out of the basket.

I would also be concerned with the fact that your signal to the mains was changing if & when you engage the rears into service on the processor. Sounds like you may have multiple problems here.

As to trying to hit 120 dB's with 90 dB speakers and 200 wpc, good luck. Maybe if you're in a room the size of a walk in closet. Most speakers go into compression WAY, WAY below that point, especially if you are talking about average listening levels and not peak. Sean
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I was looking at peak volume levels. All numbers listed were peaks.

Multiple problems are not fun to deal with. I do have a second set of speakers to play with, good old Cerwin Vegas...

Thanks
Marty
Throw the Vega's in there and see where you go. While they are probably more efficient to begin with, this will give you some idea as to where the major problem exists. Sean
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I threw in the vegas and the vegas play way louder. I don't know the sensitivity of the vega's or the impendence of the Heron-i's so it's hard to tell what is happening.

Marty