Audio Systems: home audio/multi-channel speaker hookup, bose 901, receiver channels


Question
Your advice was very logical and understandable for my novice mind.  Thank you! I am currently using "cheapo", supposedly 400w speakers but am expecting my new Bose 901's :) in about a week.  I'm looking forward to seeing a significant improvement in sound quality and sound level.  Thanks again!  Your advice saved me from damaging my equipment.

Tom
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Followup To

Question -
I have a Sony strda3oooes receiver, 5 channel, rated at 150w a channel.  I like my receiver but the volume control is odd in that it adjusts from like -90 to +10.  The problem should appear obvious, there is still not enough + volume to my liking.  I like it loud!  I would like to increase the volume but not worry about damaging my receiver.

 My question is:  I was wondering if I connected 2 receiver channels(150w+150w=300w?) to 1 speaker, then connected the 2 other receiver channels (150w+150=300w?) to the other speaker, at face it seems I should have like 300w total receiver output power available to the each speaker, thus increasing my overall volume capability?  Sony Corp. said I could connect the receiver to the speakers in this manner without damaging the receiver and the volume would be increased but that I would not get 300w of total loudness out of each speaker.  Why does this connection/hook up not double the overall speaker wattage?  Is there a better connection/hook up suggestion to achieve more volume?  Your assistance appreciated in advance.  Thanks Tom

Answer -
I don't think this unit has bridging capability does it?

ONE:  If you can bridge two amps into one output you will get nearly double the power output (due to power supply limitations you will not get exactly double).  BUT: If you did get double the power, that is a 3db increase in sound pressure level.  It takes about 9db to 10db in sound level increase to give a doubling of loudness perception.  Just barely perceptible increase in loudness is around 2db.  So, doubling the power will give you just a little more than a barely perceivable increase in output.  

TWO: If the unit does not bridge you cannot use the amps in double mode; it will damage the amps in the long run and will not give the result you want (amps in parallel would be driving into each others outputs and that is too dangerous).

THREE:  I just pulled the owners manual and I cannot find any bridging reference for this amp, so you cannot double connect two of them to one speaker.

FOUR:  The greatest way for you to get greater sound output is to change the speakers.  If the sensitivity of you current speaker systems is very low, increasing the sensitivity a few db will make a BIG difference.

FIVE:  Also, adding external amps with much, much more power will help.  However, greatly increasing the amplifier power endangers the loudspeakers because they may not be able to handle the new power levels.

Let me know more about your system, especially the speakers you are employing; there may be other options.

Cleggsan  

Answer
Thanks for your feedback.  Always appreciated.

You should, with your desire to get big, loud, sound from the receiver you have, try to choose speakers with a sensitivity figure of at least 96db; more is better.

Let me know how it turns out.

Cleggsan