Posted by CKevinB on April 15, 2003 at 22:24:18:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: And I thought horn/SET guys were wild... posted by Albertporter on April 13, 2003 at 22:45:49:
JoeS,
Similar to Art Tedeschi and AlbertPorter I usually listen at 75-80 dB levels measured at 12 ft from my M1's on a Radio Shack analog meter. The M1's are stock, Fall 2001, with the high impedance circuit. The room is 25x14x7.5 with an open entrance to a foyer behind the right speaker. The amps are Pass Labs X600. A visual feature of the X600's is a non-calibrated, indicative meter measuring output to the speaker. The meter needle stays stationary in Class A operation, which is 100 watts continuous with 200 watt peaks. The needle moves when the amp goes into Class B. The needle is stationary at my normal listening volume.
Your post got me curious about the M1's volume top. Again similar to Art and Albert I easily obtained at 12 feet from my M1’s sustained/continuous SPL readings of 90 to 95dB with peaks at 104/106 db. On some CD recordings these volumes came through with no needle movement on the 600's meter, but generally the needle bounced on peaks to 3-5 arc degrees from its stationary position to generate these volumes. (Leaving another 50+ arc degrees, and their associated watts, to go.) Huge speculation on what the meter is indicating: continuous output in the low-mid 100's watts with peaks at 200 +/- watts, which should be well within the Wolcott's capacity.
Misplaced my ear plugs so I didn't try to press the volume higher though the amps had capacity to spare and the speakers displayed no distortion. (one of my M3's at the other end of room at times empathetically resonanted along.)
A side note to this unscientific "test": I got nearly the same readings on the Radio Shack SPL meter whether standing 3 ft from the speaker or sitting at 12 ft away.
Hope this provides confirmation for Art and Albert's postings that the speakers are very capable of very high volume and then some.
RobP,
Adding to Art's suggestion of solid state, I recommend using the high impedance circuit with any SS amp. After having it added in, I was setting the pre-amp volume anywhere from 20 to 40% lower than before its addition for normal listening.
And I of course suggest considering the Pass Lab amps, particularly the 600. Have not heard their XA200, which is considerably more expensive and may be warmer than the 600.
Good hunting.