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How loud is too loud

Hi. Im new to the world of audiophile and am hoping someone can help with a problem only nine months in to spending £3000  on my set up. I've got an audiolab 8200p power amp, audiolab 8300cd and monitor audio silver 8 speakers. After playing some fairly heavy house music at -10db I noticed a distinct lack in sound quality when I played music at a lower volume and now it sounds as if I've lost a whole frequency level. There is not distortion as such, it's just that music sounds quieter and less definition in the top end. I always run my system in before turning up the volume and never push it too hard for too long. Normal listening level is around -30db.
Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
tcapone
tcapone OP
5 posts
 
Thanks for all your insight. 

I will carry on with some sound tests and see how I get on. The shop I bought it from have said they will come out and listen to it, so hopefully they can confirm. If not then maybe I really have damaged my ear drums in some way.

To be continued......
dweller's avatar
dweller
2,152 posts
 
Maybe you damaged your hearing...
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
Free apps for smartphones include dB meters.
I use one all the time to compare levels.
(and to the folks who say they are ’off’, who cares, the main thing is the relative value, plus my phone app and a Radio Shack meter are very close)

Measure at your seated position what levels you are really writing abut.
You may be listening at 110dB?
Your mention of dB must be numbers on you preamp? Usually that is how much below the input level.
Those have little to do with the actual sound level at your ears.

I also listen at volumes between 50dB and 72dB peaks.
Mostly around 60 dB
Like right now I am listening to Depeche Mode at average 62dB
tomcarr
530 posts
 
Another vote for the over-looked RS sound level meter.
I too use mine seemingly all the time.
Typical listening: 75 dB peaks (95% of all listening)
Rockin': 85 dB peaks (when I'm gettin jiggy with it)
Brief Moments of Euphoria: 95 dB peaks (very rare)
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,333 posts
 
Damaged tweeter(s)- as a minimum the ferrofluid probably dried up - possibly voice coil is now rubbing and only works at all at higher volume.
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