Thanks!! Now I get it!
Originally Posted By Helson
What confuses most people is, how soon the loudness or gain an absolute volume circuit reaches reference levels, from the minimum or silent position, compared with a relative volume circuit, that will reach reference levels and possibly an additional 20dB of gain, [at] max.
Which means, if the maximum range is 0dB on the control, reference level would be -20dB on the scale.
Sound and Vision has a fairly good explanation...

https://www.soundandvision.com/content/%E2%80%98relative%E2%80%99-vs-%E2%80%98absolute%E2%80%99-volume-what%E2%80%99s-difference
S&V has a very good explaination. Pity it took a Saloon member to explain: a relative “V” control has up to 20dB of add’l gain. Also thanks for the comprehensive LFE answer.

BTW I knew of issues setting any channel to Large: my LR and each surrounds each has a dedicated sub*. At the moment, my System sub handles the CC’s heavy lifting and all important LFE.
* small but acurate, robust, low distortion to 27hz, and high WAF!

Now to any one: are the balanced outputs hotter than the unbalanced?