Does It have to be loud?

@geoffkait 

Nothing mysterious - all speakers distort terribly and very quickly. This is why pro monitoring gear used as main monitors in high end studios is so very expensive. This is why PA speakers in your local bar go loud but sound awful. Getting loud clean distortion free sound is a significant engineering hurdle and a costly manufacturing effort too. The diminishing returns are incredible - each extra 3 db in distortion free loudness capability pretty much DOUBLES your costs.

Keep cranking it until you get the meter reflecting sustained levels at 115 db SPL. If it sounds clear and clean and undistorted (but obviously very loud) then you can be assured the speakers are fully capable.

I’ll pass on that :)

What I stated is that on the basis of my speakers rated (manufacturer specs) sensitivity and power handling capability, they can produce over 115 db. Besides, even if my speakers cannot attain that decibel level, I would still consider them "fully capable" because that level is a bit unrealistic.

Additionally, I live in a coop. I do make an attempt to show some respect towards others. My neighbors already endure the fact that most of time (I listen 3 hours per day) I listen to Grateful Dead, which sounds realistic from a live concert perspective topping off around 95 db, often even lower. On lessor occasions I’ll listen to Nirvana, AC/DC, Deep Purple and a hand full of other select choices that "warrant" playing at louder (compared to many other bands) levels. Even in those cases I’ll top out in the low 100s.

EDIT:

And if I'm not mistaken, 115 db is "dangerous to the health of ones ears" if sustained for an undo length of time. 

This needs a new post as opposed to editing my previous post.....

At the moment I’m on my "set break" during my listening session of the incredible Leonard Cohen. Specifically, I’m listening to 7/9/85, Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland. Now for those familiar with his music, surely you’d agree that typically, a volume level of 85 db is plenty "realistic".

That said, there are times/occasions where I just get the right "vibe"....

If you want to toe tap, head bob and essentially get up and dance, I’d recommend two songs from this show: "there is a war" and "lover, lover, lover". They sound amazing in the mid 90s (db). Trust me! :)

EDIT:

So the point I'm attempting to make here is that often it's not simply the genre or artist, but the specific song and ones own state-of-mind at the time you're listening that governs the volume control.

Uh, shadorne, trust me, high end speakers do not (rpt not) distort at moderate or higher than moderate levels. Where did you hear that fairy tale? 🧚🏻‍♀️ Even ordinary speakers, you know, ones that are not junk, don’t distort unless overdriven, which is not what I’m talking about. There is no physical reason why the system, any system, should become unlistenable at moderately high levels. Of course I completely understand that many people are accustomed to the distortion. It’s always been there.

@geoffkait

You do realize that I’m very much aware that you’re "following me" throughout the forum from thread-to-thread and post-to-post. Splendid! You could learn something.