How loud in DB, Is "cranking it"


Gents;

i just just got a new amp and was Playing my 87 db efficient speakers( Thiel)

My speakers 8 ft apart and I sit 9ft back

I was just playing my amp at "30 watts class A" and I heard 97 db at listening seat.
I normally listen at 70-75 db

I was told the Xa30.5 might not have enough power! In my questions to Audiogon

To me it's WAY more than I need......no issues here. If my amp is considered underpowered, You guys must be nuts!!
lol

So; the question:. 

How loud is " crankin it" for you guys
and
How loud do you normally listen?

frozentundra
80 to 85 db is cranking it for me

The following is my understanding about sound and power

2 speakers increases the sensitivity by 3db so (sourced from enjoy the music dot com)
1 87 db speaker will produce 87 db of sound at 1 meter with 1 watt of power
2 87 db speakers will produce 90 db of sound at 1 meter with 1 watt of power

Placing a speaker in a room increases the output by about 4db so (sourced from enjoy the music dot com)
2 87 db speakers will produce 94 db of sound at 1 meter with 1 watt of power

Power required for average sound (Sources from PSB speakers)
2 87 db speakers will produce 94 db of sound at 1 meter with 1 watt of power
2 87 db speakers will produce 97 db of sound at 1 meter with 2 watt of power
2 87 db speakers will produce 100 db of sound at 1 meter with 4 watt of power
2 87 db speakers will produce 103 db of sound at 1 meter with 10 watt of power
2 87 db speakers will produce 106 db of sound at 1 meter with 20 watt of power
2 87 db speakers will produce 109 db of sound at 1 meter with 40 watt of power

The inverse square law states that when the distance from the source is doubled, the sound pressure weakens by 6 dB.
2 87 db speakers will produce 96 db of sound at 3 meter with 20 watt of power
2 87 db speakers will produce 99 db of sound at 3 meter with 40 watt of power

You also need to account for musical peaks which are louder than the average sound and voice coil heating which affects the speaker sensitivity

Everyone has different tolerances,  I like listening to small jazz ensembles or symphony at what I would say are "live" levels.... The problem is what is that?  A live Rock concert can hit peaks of 124 db and 121 db is the normal threshold of pain... while going to a symphony, you may be lucky to hit 92 or 93 db. 
And no, I would never attempt to listen to anything in my home over that mid 90's db point.
Ok,  so what is cranking it?
Your amplifier is capable of over 150 watts @ 8 ohms as it has an additional 120 watts (class B) of headroom.

It would have even more headroom (> 150 watts) pushing your Thiels.

Depending on how fast the meter is you may not even notice the amp spiking into class B to cover transients.

I listen in the 70’s with peaks in the 80’s (higher dB’s trigger migraines).

I’m just getting over a headache that started yesterday afternoon (spent an hour waiting @ our local Apple Store for a tech to fix my wife’s iPod).