I listen at normal speaking volume plus a tiny, tiny bit. During the day, it takes a bit more due to all the extra environmental noise.
Egoss sums it up the best.
Egoss sums it up the best.
What Volume do you listen at?
When you sit and listen actively to your stereo, what volume do you like to set it at?
I am thinking about replacing my mediocre system with a new High Dollar System ($30K). My guess is that when you have High End gear, you naturally want to play the music at a higher volume. Is that true for you?
I have a RadioShack Analog Sound Level meter. It tells me that when I have music on in the background I set it at about 50 dB. When I set it at what seems right for serious listening, it is more often 75 or 80 dB.
One implication of this is where I will put my new listening room. I had intended to put it in our living room (pictured in the link above). However, if I will be always wanting to play so loud that my wife will complain, perhaps I should set up a room in our basement.
I am thinking about replacing my mediocre system with a new High Dollar System ($30K). My guess is that when you have High End gear, you naturally want to play the music at a higher volume. Is that true for you?
I have a RadioShack Analog Sound Level meter. It tells me that when I have music on in the background I set it at about 50 dB. When I set it at what seems right for serious listening, it is more often 75 or 80 dB.
One implication of this is where I will put my new listening room. I had intended to put it in our living room (pictured in the link above). However, if I will be always wanting to play so loud that my wife will complain, perhaps I should set up a room in our basement.
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as loud as you can (without upsetting your significant other) but its a good thing if it sounds bigger and more open as you raise volume, as if you are increasing the window of the performance; otherwise it may be distortion or compression that makes it sound louder. Forget all that calibration business, just rock out and have a blast. You will know when to say when. Amen. |
1.Great system should have a resolution, detail, musicality, stage, micro-dynamics, low level detail at all volume settings. Matter a fact is.....if the system struggles and chokes at moderate or low volume, it is a sign of a compromise in the system. 2.Referance listening levels very, it all depends who you talk to ......or the agency behind the format. 3.Personal preferences are far more important then industry standards or recommendations. If you don't feel comfortable listening at 90db.....don't !!!!!! Another consideration is your hearing. So take care of it by trying to avoid excessive and dangerous volume levels. You will thank yourself later. My preferences very. It all depends on the time of the day, mood that I am in, type of music and purpose (casual listening or evaluation). Cheers |
I listen at 70dB and 80 only rarely. Probably because I haven't damaged my hearing from listening at high SPL's. However some people's ears can take the abuse. Sure live music is loud but that does not mean just because it is acoustic you ears are designed to handle that kind of volume level. Studies have shown that even extended listening at 80dB causes hearing damage, YMMV. A good speaker should come to life at 70dB or lower and usually one that cannot won't resolve the fine details which account for small dB changes. There are always exceptions to this, of course. I would suggest getting a speaker which is optimized for the SPL's you listen at. |
With classical music the correct volume is when you can hear the softest passages. I have left my volume control here and never change it no matter what music I play. So with some music like Jazz, Rock, Pop it does sound louder than usual but according to my RS SPL meter, never louder than 85 dB. I have noticed that some visitors do listen at much louder levels and I have accomodated them by turning the volume up to something like 95dB which is more than twice as loud as my normal listening volume. The simple answer is what you (don't forget the rest of the household and your neighbours) are comfortable with. See this link http://www.dontlosethemusic.com/home/areyouatrisk/protectingyourself/ if your SPL meter shows anything above 85dBs. |
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