High level input

It seems to me the MC352 is significant overkill for the PD80 loudspeakers. Doesn't answer your question, but it strikes me as a mismatch.

The PD80s are rated at 101db/1w/1m and 4 ohms. That means you need only 1 watt to produce 101db at 1 meter (104 db at 2 watts, 107 db at 4 watts, and 110 db at 8 watts, etc...). Do you ever listen this loud? If you listen at "normal" levels of 88db-90db, the MC352 is using a fraction of 1 watt to drive the PD80s.

You will likely never use more than 2 watts of the MAC's 350 watts to drive the PD80. The PD80 are rated for high power in the event someone uses them as PA speakers to fill churches, auditoriums or theaters with the necessary volume to recreate live-level sound. You will never approach this volume in your listening room.

The reason you can run a low powered amp...like a SET amp...is precisely because the PD80 have their own 1000 watt subwoofer, and the primary amp doesn't have to do the heavy lifting of driving the woofers.

Hey, if you love the MC352, then by all means use it, but it's overkill for speakers with 101db sensitivity and built in 1000wpc subwoofer amps. My comment about mismatch was simply regarding the power required by the PD80 and the power supplied by the MC352. The comment had nothing to do with the synergy between the two, and the resulting sonics.

Don't take my word for it. Call Ty and verify what I've written. If he says something to the contrary, please correct me. I'm always open to learning something new.

Rarely but yes. When I'm in the mood I'll run a couple hundred WPC.
Nuguy (Threads | Answers)

No you won't. Are you being serious, or is this comment a joke?

Seriously, follow the progression to determine the volume/power required. Start with 101db/1watt/1meter at which your PD80 loudspeakers are rated. For every 3db of volume increase, you double the power. 104db/2 watts, 107db/4 watts, 110db/8 watts, 113db/16 watts, 116db/32 watts, 119db/64 watts, 121db/128 watts, 124db/256 watts...

You'll listen at volume greater than 121db? You know this because you've measured the volume with a decibel meter, or because this is your guess? If you have measured, then you're good to go. If you haven't measured, then we're not discussing this topic from the same page.

What are the dimensions of your room?

Look, my intention was not to irk you, but to simply open your mind to the reality, and to the possibilities. I'm making no judgment regarding your choices.

Please call Ty and verify what I've written. And, if you don't own a decibel meter, then buy one...they're inexpensive...and do some quick measurements.

If you can set your MC352 power meters to measure peaks, you might do that, play the same AC/DC track and do another measurement. If the 99db reading is correct, then you might expect to see peaks somewhere between 2-4 watts on the MC352, accounting for the db rolloff at 14'. If the 122 db reading is correct, then you might see peaks over 260wpc. Big difference. The MC352 power meter reading in conjunction with your DEQ2496 and Extech readings should give you a better idea which decibel reading is more accurate.

Something doesn't seem right. There is no reason why the MC352 should ever be close to clipping with 101db/1w/1m loudspeaker, unless you're trying to fill a barn sized space to 124db levels.

I think you should call Ty and explain what's going on and what you've done to test the system.

06-24-06: Bignerd100
Congratulations!
You two have just won the Golden Propeller Hat Award!

Coming from someone named Bignerd100, I'll take that as a compliment. ;)