First of all, thanks all of you for your input. I do agree
that it is more about dynamics rather that just loudness. Any continued SPL
above 85 dba will result in hearing damage, so needless to say this is not
recommended. My hearing –after 40 years running around on electricity power
plants- is not very good anymore, Nevertheless, I’m certainly able to enjoy the
music, and I love the dynamics. Unfortunately, not many systems are able to
present the full dynamic range available. Most of the systems will run into distortion
when playing 90-95 dba SPL at listening position. Don’t be fooled, 95 dba is loud! Now,
considering a background noise level of let’s say 40 dba, and a dynamic range
of 50 db on a very good CD, your system must be able to produce undistorted SPL
of 90 dba. That’s it. You may wish to
have a bit headroom, but if your system plays SPL peaks up to 95 dba
undistorted, you’re good. Believe me,
not too many systems can. Other than
that, I play music at a level which I believe would be natural. So if a singer
would be standing in between the speakers, how loud could she/he possibly sing
without amplification, that’s the norm for me. Of course, occasionally I do
play louder, depending on the music. But hardly ever do I exceed the 90-95 dba
peak SPL. (and yes, I measure with an Extech SPL meter, it does make a difference)
Does It have to be loud?
Are you also under the impression that when people (or
manufacturers) demo their equipment, they maintain sound pressure levels
between 90-100 Dba. In general this is done in rooms being too small, and
therefore the room will heavily interact with the sound heard in that room.
Often, when you ask to lower the volume, the actual result is better, and –most
likely- provides you with the information you were looking for. So, my question here is, do you also prefer
to listen in the 90-100 dba range? Or do you –like myself- like to listen in
the 70-90 dba sound pressure range? Of course, I’m referring to sound pressure
levels at the listening position, which –in my case- is about 4 meter away from
the speaker.
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- 113 posts total
- 113 posts total