[Diamond Dog]

Just for the helluvit I borrowed a co-worker's dB meter, curious as to what my typical listening session would measure out at. Surprisingly sane @ maximum mid- seventies. Despite a youth wasted ( and I do mean wasted ) playing in bands, I find this level totally adequate. Anybody else ever check the levels they listen at ? What did you come up with?

D.D.

[Mag]

When rockin' out I typically listen in the 95-100 db range 'C' weighted, Neo:6 music mode. Since getting my SP2 however I generally listen at a lower level 85-92 db 'A' weighted because its very transparent.

Just finished watching a movie and spl meter showed 85 db 'A' weighted.

[Elizabeth]

With my Radio Shack meter "C" weighted, from the listening seat usually mid sixties like right now. If I am wanting it louder, I may be in mid 70's with peaks to 80dB.
But that, to me is loud.

Recently I mentioned that i believe one can get used to any level of loudness. and when it is not around that level, it does not sound 'right'.
So "IF' one lowered the level over a long time, gradually, they would find that the new, lower level they get used to is great.
It is a learned experience. Loud, or soft, it is what you are used to. that is it.

Added: "C" weighted is the usual audio setting for sound levels. (read that someplace.)

[vegasdave]

I don't have a meter, but I'm gonna guess in the 80-90 db range.

[hawkeye99]

I have a meter  and I find 70 dB a comfortable level. 

[Rclark]

Between 50 to 75 dB. Both my LDR and my amplifiers are excellent at low volumes, as part of their design features, and seem much much louder than they really are are in my room, just the clarity and fullness is the same as if cranked. My sub doesn't lose anything either.

All this makes me happy as I get to keep my ears.

[Devil Doc]

I like my peaks around 90dB. My Vandersteens don't come alive unless they get a kick in the butt.

Doc

[werd]

Not very loud but I need to get a meter to check it out.

[won ton on]

80 to 85 db's as per my radio shack meter. i don't have to listen any louder as my Salk ht2-tl's don't need to be turned up to hear the music clearly.

[Mag]

With my Radio Shack meter "C" weighted, from the listening seat usually mid sixties like right now. If I am wanting it louder, I may be in mid 70's with peaks to 80dB.
But that, to me is loud.

60 db is IIRC as loud as someone pushing a shopping cart down the corridor of a mall. I want to drown out the shopping cart. I can have the washing machine or dishwasher running and I don't hear it.

I like to use 'C' weighted as it gives a better indication of the bass output. Like you can have something measure let's say 90 db 'A' weighted. But it doesn't tell you how much bass there is. I've measured songs with 100 db 'A' weighted and 'C' weighted, think that was Black Sabbath-Warpigs. And I've measured songs that were around 90 db 'A' weighted but measured 100 db 'C' weighted, because there was lots of bass.

[santacore]

70-90db. I typically monitor between 79-85db at work, so this is a range that I'm comfortable with.

[cheap-Jack]

HJi.

With my Radio Shack meter "C" weighted, from the listening seat usually mid sixties like right now. If I am wanting it louder, I may be in mid 70's with peaks to 80dB.
But that, to me is loud.

Agreed. I think any SPLs higher than 80dB peak level, A weighting, fast response, would be pretty loud.

. I've measured songs with 100 db 'A' weighted and 'C' weighted,

This is an extremely loud volume that can easily damage yr ears. How far away you measure from the loudspeakers?? Watch out yr neightbour may knock yr door.

I have a meter  and I find 70 dB a comfortable level. 

Yes, pretty much so.

I like my peaks around 90dB. My Vandersteens don't come alive unless they get a kick in the butt.

Hopefully you don't crank up so loud so often. Or yr ears may get impaired faster than you even notice it.

Make sure you measure it with the SPL meter at the ear level at the centre line of yr sweet spot.
Set meter to C weighting, peak level & fast response tp catch the music transient.

c-J

[Mag]

HJi.
This is an extremely loud volume that can easily damage yr ears. How far away you measure from the loudspeakers?? Watch out yr neightbour may knock yr door.

With all do respect, I believe that's a myth, when it comes to listening to music. But the experts have to say that because there are so many variables/idiots in how people listen. Distortion, quality of gear, proximity to speakers, headphones, type of music, etc., that are all factors that can damage hearing.

If it were true, in regards to music, I should already be deaf, a few years back.

First of all music spl generally is not sustained like a mechanical sound. Secondly with quality gear distortion levels are pretty low, distortion being the real danger to worry about.

Third there's a conditioning factor. I went through a phase were I was listening 40 to 50 hours a week. Then I went through listening fatigue that lasted a few weeks were I had no desire for loud music. Just kept music at low level background music. Eventually I came out of listening fatigue and can listen for several hours at above average levels without fatigue, on my system.

Change the variables and I don't know that I can say that. I've been to bars where the PA system hurt my ears, most likely from distortion.

When I'm not listening to stereo at home, I keep noise to a minimum to rest my ears. I also find that constant bombardment of what I call noise pollution makes me very irritable.

[jimdgoulding]

For classical music recorded on location it won't be very loud cause were I attending I don't imagine I would be sitting very close to the stage.  For live jazz louder cause the setting is typically smaller and I have often been able to sit near the stage.  For rock & blues and studio made music of any sort I adjust the loudness to taste which is often very loud but never to the point of perceived distortion in any manner from any source.  I reckon nobody does that, rught?  Can't really give you a decible range

[cheap-Jack]

Hi.

With all do respect, I believe that's a myth, when it comes to listening to music.

....headphones, type of music, etc., that are all factors that can damage hearing.

If it were true, in regards to music, I should already be deaf, a few years back.

Not everybody were so lucky like you, bud.

I met one person who is only 50 years or so not that old old, told me he is virtually deaf.

Why I asked him. He said he had been listening earphones so often since he was a kid, & the earphones killed his hearing.

c-J

[paul canady]

Deleted!

[bummrush]

 usually high 60's just for a average on the itouch app hitting over 70 here and there ,,sitting near field 5 ft away.

[orientalexpress]

I listen mid 80 to 100 db,i want to feel the Music.Regarding about loudness cause hearing loss if that true all my friends That work at the Guitar center is deaf by now.Have u been to Band practice?Those guys practice at least 2 time a week,i know they're not practice at 80db.


lapsan

[vegasdave]

I listen mid 80 to 100 db,i want to feel the Music.Regarding about loudness cause hearing loss if that true all my friends That work at the Guitar center is deaf by now.Have u been to Band practice?Those guys practice at least 2 time a week,i know they're not practice at 80db.


lapsan

Good point. I want to feel the music too.

[Devil Doc]

HJi.
Agreed. I think any SPLs higher than 80dB peak level, A weighting, fast response, would be pretty loud.

This is an extremely loud volume that can easily damage yr ears. How far away you measure from the loudspeakers?? Watch out yr neightbour may knock yr door.

Yes, pretty much so.

Hopefully you don't crank up so loud so often. Or yr ears may get impaired faster than you even notice it.

Make sure you measure it with the SPL meter at the ear level at the centre line of yr sweet spot.
Set meter to C weighting, peak level & fast response tp catch the music transient.

c-J

No offense jack, but it ain't my first day on the beach.

Doc