coolcobramatt
Well-known member
OK guys...I finally got my Krell 400xi in and to my dismay the volume level seems much reduced compared to the Musical Fidelity A300 I had previously. I wrote to Krell asking if the amp might need to be sent in and checked out, and here is their response:
"There can be a substantial difference in speaker output coming from a box design and moving to a Dipole electrostatic design, this deviance is referred to as a speakers efficiency, it requires more wattage to get the same amount of acoustic output. It is perfectly ok for your 400xi to run at 100, keep in mind that the presentation of the electrostatic speaker is more refined and not designed to play at higher listening levels typically. I suspect your 400xi is working perfectly."
I assumed (maybe incorrectly) that the efficiency of the speakers was the key to volume rather than the ESL design. For those of you that have a 400xi or a similar 300i, tell me if you agree or disagree with what Krell is saying. My MF I could reach the same volume level at 1/4 as the Krell at "75". At say "50" I can stand directly in front of the speaker and carry on a normal conversation on my phone. Movie soundtracks dont have the impact I expected, and unless changing up my room (8 ft ceilings to 12 ft vaulted) made this huge a difference, I am lost as to why I have to turn the Krell up to what seems an extravagant level to attain decent volumes. I realize the MF had an analog volume dial whereas the Krell has an electronic version, but should it be THIS big a difference? The MF was rated at 250 per channel at 4ohms where the Krell is rated 400 wpc. One note, I do still use the cheesy ML jumpers but am bumping up to a bi-wire system as soon as I fine a good set used.
Even the guy I bought it from was shocked as he tells me he could turn it up to about a "50" to reach a solid volume level and has never had it past "100". I am still using plain jane monster speakers cables and a standard protection strip, although a high current 20 amp Panamax conditioner is on the way. Am I doing something wrong or am I overlooking something? Your input GREATLY appreciated. (and before you say it, yes I turned the mute button off )
"There can be a substantial difference in speaker output coming from a box design and moving to a Dipole electrostatic design, this deviance is referred to as a speakers efficiency, it requires more wattage to get the same amount of acoustic output. It is perfectly ok for your 400xi to run at 100, keep in mind that the presentation of the electrostatic speaker is more refined and not designed to play at higher listening levels typically. I suspect your 400xi is working perfectly."
I assumed (maybe incorrectly) that the efficiency of the speakers was the key to volume rather than the ESL design. For those of you that have a 400xi or a similar 300i, tell me if you agree or disagree with what Krell is saying. My MF I could reach the same volume level at 1/4 as the Krell at "75". At say "50" I can stand directly in front of the speaker and carry on a normal conversation on my phone. Movie soundtracks dont have the impact I expected, and unless changing up my room (8 ft ceilings to 12 ft vaulted) made this huge a difference, I am lost as to why I have to turn the Krell up to what seems an extravagant level to attain decent volumes. I realize the MF had an analog volume dial whereas the Krell has an electronic version, but should it be THIS big a difference? The MF was rated at 250 per channel at 4ohms where the Krell is rated 400 wpc. One note, I do still use the cheesy ML jumpers but am bumping up to a bi-wire system as soon as I fine a good set used.
Even the guy I bought it from was shocked as he tells me he could turn it up to about a "50" to reach a solid volume level and has never had it past "100". I am still using plain jane monster speakers cables and a standard protection strip, although a high current 20 amp Panamax conditioner is on the way. Am I doing something wrong or am I overlooking something? Your input GREATLY appreciated. (and before you say it, yes I turned the mute button off )
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