[Lost81]

That was what actually happened to one of my acquaintances who constantly mocked my audio hobby. He always accused me of imagining "details," "increased soundstage," etc.  

Well, to get him off my back, I arranged (and paid) to have his hearing tested.

As it turns out, the poor b*stard could only hear to 8kHz.
That shut him up good.

Me?
I can easily detect the whine of a flyback transformer anywhere in a room (15kHz), but I should get myself tested to see if I'm one of those rare few who can detect 19kHz.  


-Lost81

[nathanm]

And wearing ear plugs at any kind of concert. The really good kind.

Do tell!  I have yet to find ANY earplugs that haven't ruined the music and made inter-song speech impossible to hear.  Basically all they do is protect, you can't enjoy the sound with them in, you merely endure it.  I tried these ones with a little metal filter inside which allegedly didn't cut the highs as much - nope, still sucked.  So I'd be interested to know what you've found to be good, Ortho!

[WerTicus]

I got to listen to Alice cooper at WAR Audio one late night with it seriously cranked... it would have been 115db+ ... because it was hurting even though it was totally crystal

but it was worth it

I actually didnt have ringing ears afterwards!!!

I wonder if thats because its a 60k+ setup thats basically zero distortion?

or because it was only for 3 or 4 mins.

But I tell you, track four, "Some Folks" (on welcome to my nightmare) has the hardest hitting drum kicks ever  check it!

of course Pat has about 3kw going to 99db efficient speakers using the raven r3's (actually those new tweeters by the same inventer) and 4x 12" PHL woofers.

[orthobiz]

I've seen tons of concerts in my time and somehow survived the 70's. At this point if I go to a concert I am there more for the experience of seeing the group, being out of the house, etc. than I am for the pure sonic pleasure. I am willing to endure the loss of fidelity.

I also had a hiatus of about 15 years since I saw Costello, the Kinks, Graham Parker in the 80's until recent concerts (Shins, Soundtrack of Our Lives, Fountains of Wayne) and I just don't remember prior concerts being that loud! Maybe it's my low grade hearing loss causing pain in an environment that others tolerate without any problem.

But I don't want to expose myself to 3 hrs of high decibels with post concert ringing and worrying about hearing loss. I even heard of a lawyer who sued a group for the loud volume at the concert. He claimed permanent hearing loss after the single event. I don't think he collected anything, but it does show that I'm not the only one concerned.

Bottom line: fidelity sucks, ears still working at current capacity. And I can hear the 15 kHz tones easily from my speakers on a test disc.

bizzo

[gonefishin]

Hi again Ortho,

    Until recently, I thought the same way.  That concerts were a nice night out with little thought given to the actual acoustics in a theater or venue.  This seemed to hold true until I recently went to the Chicago Auditorium Theater.  I suppose that an amplified band with a bad soundman could still sound horrid anywhere they play.  But with acoustic or small amplified jazz this auditorium is actually...nice sounding.  I recently seen Diana Krall at the Auditorium, and it was more than a good night out with the wife.  It was good sound too!

  If you ever get the chance to see a performer there, don't hesitate.  It could make for a nice evening out.


  take care,

 dan

[doorman]

Since joining the "lunatic fringe" (SET's) I'm probably never listening louder than the mid 80's. I find with the wealth of available detail, I'm usually turning the volume down! That can be a good thing!

[Inscrutable]

I'm breaking in a pair of speakers now, and the music is probably as loud as I'd want to listen, and it's running 75-80 dB.  You guys at 85+ really are in for some long-term permanent loss.  I'm a contemporary of othrobiz, and I too spent a lot of time in front of the stacks at clubs and concerts.  And I too would take much better care of my ears if I had it to do over.

I've heard systems that were able to come alive at lower volumes, and some that couldn't - perhaps a system change/upgrade is in order?  It's a great excuse, anyway  

[JoshK]

I never really knew how loud until now, just took a reading at my normal listening level.  Around 76 - 78 db.   That is what I find loud enough but still comfortable to listen to.