[Mag]

Has anyone else experienced listening sessions where no matter how loud you crank the volume it doesn't seem to be loud enough? You know its loud, since its above your average listening volume. This doesn't happened all the time though, just occasionally.

I've experienced this a couple times, which may be just a state of mind. Or perhaps it's an indication I'm on the verge of going deaf as I've been listening at loud spl levels for quite a few years.

Having said that, not being loud enough seems to be related to recordings that aren't very good, lacking transparency. I find that I am cranking it up to get a holographic room effect, which is there. However, having been spoiled by really transparent recordings, higher spl levels just can't compensate for lack of transparency in a bad recording.

With good recordings my spl levels has come down a few notches on the volume dial. But is probably still at louder levels I imagine than most audiophile listening levels.

[James Tanner]

Hi Mag,

One of the major problems with a lot of recordings is they are compressed as hell to sound OK on Radio and Ipods. So no matter how high you turn the level up the dynamics are truncated to the point it just sounds 'louder' not more 'dynamic'.

james

[Mag]

Another factor is the mix. Having discovered hybrid sacd, the cd layer generally has the same mix as the sacd which is much more balanced.

Even with 5.1 concert videos the mix is balanced. CD recordings that contain vocals are mixed so that the vocals are in the foreground drowning out the instruments to a degree. Sounding totally unnatural and recorded.

I think though, what I was experiencing last night was a state of mind. Being that I was pretty hyper with a change in job prospect and being jacked up on nicotine.

[1oldguy]

Mag, take away your nicotine and you'll become even more hyper.

[john1970]

Hi Mag,

One of the major problems with a lot of recordings is they are compressed as hell to sound OK on Radio and Ipods. So no matter how high you turn the level up the dynamics are truncated to the point it just sounds 'louder' not more 'dynamic'.

james

James,


You mention a very important point that is all too common on new releases .  Frankly, I don't understand how people can listen to those recordings.  Sure they sound great in a car or on an iPod, but they sound absolutely awful on even the most modest of dedicated stereo systems.

Cheers,

John

[Mad Mr H]

John / James,

Do you mean recordings on CD ? download ? or other medium ?

Just curious.


I have a massive collection on hard drive, sound OK but does not move me as much as my old mark levinson transport and dac, Thinking of going back to the cd format.

Andy.

[john1970]

Andy,

My reference is to CDs.  It is the only format I use.

Best,

John

[Mad Mr H]

Thank you John,

Thats what I thought, very sad that todays music is just not as good as it could be.......

As a generation grow up with the ipod as their way of life quality of audio comes way below looks of the next generation i players.


Lucky for me I listern to both Country and Western - Most is not "new" recordings......

Andy.

[vegasdave]

Hi Mag,

One of the major problems with a lot of recordings is they are compressed as hell to sound OK on Radio and Ipods. So no matter how high you turn the level up the dynamics are truncated to the point it just sounds 'louder' not more 'dynamic'.

james

I concur.