High level input

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.

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?

Rarely but yes. When I'm in the mood I'll run a couple hundred WPC.

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.

Just to answer your basic question:
If, for example, the MC352 is pushing 200watts per channel, is half or that power being used to signal the sub amps? Am I wasting power just to send a signal or do the sub amps somehow filter out a line level signal?
Answer: No. The sub ams are not drawing any current from your McIntosh, they only take in the "info" from it (i.e, high level signal) and then amplify it to the woffers.

Tvad , I just wanted to clarify. I completely agree with what you are saying. I had the amp before I bought the speakers and I knew it was loads of power for the PDs. I do like the sound of the Mc and I got a great deal on it, so there it sits. I did want a system that was capable of great sound at high SPLs and the funny thing is, since I got it I normally always listen at very low levels.

Usually when listening the meters hover around 0.35 watts, but every once in a while the headbanger in me comes out and I need a quick fix.

Larry