?? line-level to monitor WAY LOUDER than through e-mu 0404 ??

[hgregs]

i just got a pair of lsr2348Ps. i hooked them up to my outboard usb dac/pr (e-mu 0404 USB), and was surprised that with the monitor levels set at 50%, and the main volume on the e-mu set above at about 60%, the decibels sound to be at about speaking volume.

i went to guitar center to check out alternatives, and they had this exact model jbl on the floor. their stuff wasn't set up well, and the only way the salesman could hook up the monitor was directly to the rca-outs of a pro-cd deck. i set the monitor-levels to 50% thinking they would be quiet... OUCH!! they were incredibly loud. they were loud even at 25%. there was no volume control on the cd-player.

so i am simply trying to determine if my specific pair of monitors is weak, or if my e-mu dac/pre is reducing the level relative to the cd (line level). my player (foobar) and my computer levels are 100%.

thoughts?

update? tested at home w/ my ipod>rca cables>jbls and still not loud (ipod volume maxed, jbls at 50%)

[Nick Kay]

Here's my bet: that CD deck you were using at the store was outputting +4dBu, while your 0404 is outputting -10dBv. That's a VERY significant difference. The 0404 outputs at -10dBv when you use unbalanced cables, and +4dBu when you use balanced cables. Simply switch to TRS/stereo 1/4" cables from the 0404 to the monitors and the issue should sort itself out.

Furthermore, to simplify things a bit, set the monitors to 100% and control the volume from the 0404, or set the 0404 to 100% and control the volume from the monitors. Trust me when I say you only want one overall volume control in your system.

As for the iPod, I've never had a good time driving line inputs from mp3 player headphone outputs. I'm betting it's an impedance mismatch, since headphone amp outs are <5ohms, while line outs are usually >50ohms, but don't quote me on that one. Suffice to say, you'll never get an accurate picture of your system's capabilities when you're driving it with a headphone output.

[hgregs]

hey nick... i think you nailed it. or at least 85% of it. the balanced cables resulted in much more output. now to decide if i want to keep these jbls. thanks for the help.