Input Sensitivity - matching Monitors to a Home Audio DAC - Forum
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pull9gs, modified 7 Years ago.
Input Sensitivity - matching Monitors to a Home Audio DAC
Youngling Posts: 2 Join Date: 7/12/16 Recent Postsilkka-rissanen, modified 7 Years ago.
Re: Input Sensitivity - matching Monitors to a Home Audio DA
Yoda Posts: 2564 Join Date: 3/23/09 Recent Posts Hello,
Maximum input level is the only number you should be "worried" about. 8040B and G Four models can accept at least 20 dBu / 7.75 volt RMS maximum input level which means that pretty much every DAC on the market is suitable for them.
Maximum input level is the only number you should be "worried" about. 8040B and G Four models can accept at least 20 dBu / 7.75 volt RMS maximum input level which means that pretty much every DAC on the market is suitable for them.
ilkka-rissanen, modified 7 Years ago.
Re: Input Sensitivity - matching Monitors to a Home Audio DA
Yoda Posts: 2564 Join Date: 3/23/09 Recent Posts Hi,
I would start with -10 dB or -20 dB setting and test if those give you good volume adjustment range. Don't you have GLM 2.0 kit yet?
http://www.genelec.com/studio-monitors/glm-20-software
I would start with -10 dB or -20 dB setting and test if those give you good volume adjustment range. Don't you have GLM 2.0 kit yet?
http://www.genelec.com/studio-monitors/glm-20-software
wooderson, modified 7 Years ago.
Re: Input Sensitivity - matching Monitors to a Home Audio DA
Youngling Posts: 9 Join Date: 10/21/15 Recent Posts
I would start with -10 dB or -20 dB setting and test if those give you good volume adjustment range.
OK, that means its like try and error, so there is no "mathematical" way by knowing the numbers of the setting?
Don't you have GLM 2.0 kit yet?
Of course I have, that why I made the decision for Genelec
But I don't use the GLM for adjusting the volume, its always fixed on 0 dB for analog source (I do not use the digital input).
Did I miss the point or what has GLM to do with the input sensitivity question?
thanks
ilkka-rissanen, modified 7 Years ago.
Re: Input Sensitivity - matching Monitors to a Home Audio DA
Yoda Posts: 2564 Join Date: 3/23/09 Recent Posts
OK, that means its like try and error, so there is no "mathematical" way by knowing the numbers of the setting?
You can do some calculations but there is no single 'right' value, it all depends how you want to scale you system's gain structure.
Default (maximum) input sensitivity of the 8351A is 100 dB (at 1 meter distance) with -6 dBu signal. Maximum output of the monitor is 111 dB which means that you need -6 dBu + 11 dB = 5 dBu input signal to reach it. Maximum output of your Yamaha is rated at 8.5 V which translates to 21 dBu. That is 21 dBu - 5 dBu = 16 dB more than is required for the maximum output which means you can lower the input sensitivity of the monitor by at least this amount, probably even more because I doubt you will constantly push your monitors to maximum SPL (if you do, you will most likely need bigger monitors). So, -10 to -20 dB setting for input sensitivity would be my starting point for testing. Of course it also depends how much of the maximum volume range of Yamaha you want to use. Some people want to use only half of it, some prefer more.
Of course I have, that why I made the decision for Genelec
But I don't use the GLM for adjusting the volume, its always fixed on 0 dB for analog source (I do not use the digital input).
Did I miss the point or what has GLM to do with the input sensitivity question?
Oh good! Yes, you have missed a very important point.
GLM volume setting is the same as input sensitivity adjustment, it just has more range, from 0 to 120 dB. Also, when you are using GLM, all manual settings behind the monitor are overridden. The only dip you need to enable is the stored settings switch which enables the monitor to remember the GLM settings stored in it. In order to set the input sensitivity via GLM, go to Group | Store current group settings at current volume level to SAM monitors, and have the volume slider for example at -20 dB then. Obviously you don't need to have music playing then. jussisallinen, modified 2 Years ago.
RE: Input Sensitivity - matching Monitors to a Home Audio DAC
Youngling Posts: 6 Join Date: 7/30/20 Recent Postsilkka-rissanen:
OK, that means its like try and error, so there is no "mathematical" way by knowing the numbers of the setting?
You can do some calculations but there is no single 'right' value, it all depends how you want to scale you system's gain structure.
Default (maximum) input sensitivity of the 8351A is 100 dB (at 1 meter distance) with -6 dBu signal. Maximum output of the monitor is 111 dB which means that you need -6 dBu + 11 dB = 5 dBu input signal to reach it. Maximum output of your Yamaha is rated at 8.5 V which translates to 21 dBu. That is 21 dBu - 5 dBu = 16 dB more than is required for the maximum output which means you can lower the input sensitivity of the monitor by at least this amount, probably even more because I doubt you will constantly push your monitors to maximum SPL (if you do, you will most likely need bigger monitors). So, -10 to -20 dB setting for input sensitivity would be my starting point for testing. Of course it also depends how much of the maximum volume range of Yamaha you want to use. Some people want to use only half of it, some prefer more.
Of course I have, that why I made the decision for Genelec
But I don't use the GLM for adjusting the volume, its always fixed on 0 dB for analog source (I do not use the digital input).
Did I miss the point or what has GLM to do with the input sensitivity question?
Oh good! Yes, you have missed a very important point.
Thanks a lot for the write-up!
As my Allen & Heath Xone:96 mixer has +24dBu output with Master Out at full I’ve set analog Input Gain on 8350A’s to -18dB, mixer Master Out at full results in +6dBu input signal on Genelec’s which equals 112dB.. bet I won’t never need to go there at home ;)
ilkka-rissanen, modified 7 Years ago.
Re: Input Sensitivity - matching Monitors to a Home Audio DA
Yoda Posts: 2564 Join Date: 3/23/09 Recent PostsHi Ilkka,
Thats an hack of an explanations! I think I got it.
So input sensitivity is more like (pre-) amplification inside the speakers and its done in the digital domain? Thats why it can be done with GLM?
Yes, correct.
I know its a matter of taste how to use the volume range on the main interface. But if one wants to have the best "audiophile" performance, is it better to use high input sesitivity or high signal volume on the source side? Do the Genelecs sound different at 0 dB than at lets say -30 dB? I could image that it depends on the amplification since every curciut behaves different on how strong the signal is?
As you say, it depends on the whole signal chain, starting from the source and ending at the monitors. The best thing is that you can easily test it yourself, just compare the sound with different settings and listen if you can hear any difference. If you can't, then it makes no difference, right?
pull9gs, modified 6 Years ago.
Re: Input Sensitivity - matching Monitors to a Home Audio DA
Youngling Posts: 2 Join Date: 7/12/16 Recent Posts Thanks for the replies.
I'm looking to make the purchase in the new year. Unfortunately I'm still not sure which monitor to choose.
It's great to hear that both are suitable but clearly there is a reason for creating both products for the two different applications.
Please could you explain which is most suited to my specific application with the DACs listed above?
Thanks
I'm looking to make the purchase in the new year. Unfortunately I'm still not sure which monitor to choose.
Maximum input level is the only number you should be "worried" about. 8040B and G Four models can accept at least 20 dBu / 7.75 volt RMS maximum input level which means that pretty much every DAC on the market is suitable for them.
It's great to hear that both are suitable but clearly there is a reason for creating both products for the two different applications.
Please could you explain which is most suited to my specific application with the DACs listed above?
Thanks