How loud do you listen?

rydenfan · « **on:** 15 Dec 2008, 03:52 pm »

I am curious at what decibel level everyone listens at during a good listening session? When I broke out the SPL meter this weekend and tested it out I was a bit surprised at just how loud I was listening, easily in the 92-95 db range

Wondering if this is in-line with everyone else, or low, or high?

Big Red Machine · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 Dec 2008, 03:58 pm »

What? Can't hear you!

JK.

I'm around the same level, usually 85ish. I like the dynamics to hit me in the chest. And the family is glad the room is isolated!

pardales · « **Reply #2 on:** 15 Dec 2008, 03:59 pm »

My listening sessions tend to be in the 72-78 db range.

martyo · « **Reply #3 on:** 15 Dec 2008, 04:09 pm »

Using the Radio Shack SPL meter (C weighted) with jazz and such, mid 80's to low 90's. Dead and jambands mid 90's.

rydenfan · « **Reply #4 on:** 15 Dec 2008, 04:11 pm »

I was listening to the AC/DC Bag > Ghost > Cities from Prague '98 when I hit 95

Mag · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 Dec 2008, 04:11 pm »

Quote from: rydenfan on 15 Dec 2008, 03:52 pm

I am curious at what decibel level everyone listens at during a good listening session? When I broke out the SPL meter this weekend and tested it out I was a bit surprised at just how loud I was listening, easily in the 92-95 db range Wondering if this is in-line with everyone else, or low, or high?

I'm pretty much in the same range 92-95. I prefer the C scale which is 103 db in my room. The C scale gives a better indication of how much bass there is IMO.
I find if I go louder, I tend to hear only the loudest instrument and I cannot follow all the instruments at the same time.

keenween · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 Dec 2008, 04:18 pm »

Mostly in the 75 region I'm guessing. For serious listening/rocking/grooving its more like 90, but those are usually shorter sessions limited to an hour or maybe two.

max190 · « **Reply #7 on:** 15 Dec 2008, 04:44 pm »

Breaking in that new Plinius huh?
Does it get pretty warm when you start driving hard?

For me, I listen in the mid 80s to mid 90s. All depends how many beers I had

rydenfan · « **Reply #8 on:** 15 Dec 2008, 04:53 pm »

It gets plenty warm

but since it is exposed and will be on a stand that is not too much concern. Until I get my energy bill

orientalexpress · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 Dec 2008, 05:48 pm »

i like to feel the instruments kick me in the nuts,i don't how loud that is

lapsan

low.pfile · « **Reply #10 on:** 15 Dec 2008, 06:01 pm »

last night I had a borrowed RS SPL meter and occasionally held it up when watching Flyboys last night and loud peaks were around 94dbs. And 70-75db seemed to the average level. I turned the volume up to get to 90db average and it was uncomfortable. I am in a 13 x 19 x 8ft living room. I don't have sensitive ears or anything. For 2 ch music the loudest I listen is around mid 70s . Because of known RS meter error I added 2-4db to the indicated #s for the correction

satfrat · « **Reply #11 on:** 15 Dec 2008, 07:49 pm »

Quote from: martyo on 15 Dec 2008, 04:09 pm

Using the Radio Shack SPL meter (C weighted) with jazz and such, mid 80's to low 90's. Dead and jambands mid 90's.

I'm mirroring your preferences except I'll go a little higher towards 100db with heavy rock & heavy metal. I learned if you don't rock outloud, you simply ain't rockin'.

Cheeers,
Robin

max190 · « **Reply #12 on:** 15 Dec 2008, 08:10 pm »

Quote from: orientalexpress on 15 Dec 2008, 05:48 pm

i like to feel the instruments kick me in the nuts,i don't how loud that is

lapsan

face · « **Reply #13 on:** 15 Dec 2008, 08:11 pm »

70db to 90db, averaging somewhere in the middle.

grsimmon · « **Reply #14 on:** 15 Dec 2008, 08:17 pm »

FWIW

I'm no audiologist, but some of the levels reported so far = permanently damaging your hearing, maybe anything above 85 db (?)

satfrat · « **Reply #15 on:** 15 Dec 2008, 08:29 pm »

Quote from: grsimmon on 15 Dec 2008, 08:17 pm

FWIW

I'm no audiologist, but some of the levels reported so far = permanently damaging your hearing, maybe anything above 85 db (?)

At 57 and having worked in a 85db+ machine factory for 35 years, I'm not sweating things at this point in my life. Of course if I could do things over I would have worn ear protection at work and made up for things at home instead of burning the candle at both ends like I have. I would suggest tho if 85+db sound is a concern, stay the hell away from any live rock concert cuz you'll be hearing 110-120db levels there. My ears were ringing for 3 days after a Tom Petty concert back in the 80's. I guess I'd rather live and experience the sensation while I can instead of dying with perfect hearing and never have truely lived the music. My choice.

Cheers,
Robin

face · « **Reply #16 on:** 15 Dec 2008, 08:31 pm »

Quote from: grsimmon on 15 Dec 2008, 08:17 pm

FWIW

I'm no audiologist, but some of the levels reported so far = permanently damaging your hearing, maybe anything above 85 db (?)

That's why I keep my average listening between 75-80 db. I want to enjoy my tunes for a long time to come. It's still nice to once in a while crank it up to 90+ for a song or two.

nathanm · « **Reply #17 on:** 15 Dec 2008, 08:43 pm »

I would like to trade lives with anyone who wishes to preserve their hearing. You may retain your spouse, children and whatever possessions you wish to keep and we can swap homes. Enjoy a paradise of unstressed eardrums while I courageously endure the torment of 85db average levels which have plagued you for too long! Please send PM if interested.

JerryM · « **Reply #18 on:** 15 Dec 2008, 08:52 pm »

Quote from: satfrat on 15 Dec 2008, 08:29 pm

Quote from: grsimmon on 15 Dec 2008, 08:17 pm
FWIW

I'm no audiologist, but some of the levels reported so far = permanently damaging your hearing, maybe anything above 85 db (?)

At 57 and having worked in a 85db+ machine factory for 35 years, I'm not sweating things at this point in my life. Of course if I could do things over I would have worn ear protection at work and made up for things at home instead of burning the candle at both ends like I have. I would suggest tho if 85+db sound is a concern, stay the hell away from any live rock concert cuz you'll be hearing 110-120db levels there. My ears were ringing for 3 days after a Tom Petty concert back in the 80's. I guess I'd rather live and experience the sensation while I can instead of dying with perfect hearing and never have truely lived the music. My choice.

Cheers,
Robin

Actually, our friends at DOSH say you can be exposed to 90 db eight hours per day for a working career and not suffer permanent hearing damage. Beyond that, it's time weighted. For example, you can be exposed to 115 db for fifteen minutes, every day, with no ill effects. Or, 105 db for one hour per day. Or 100 db for two hours. Once again, every day for a working career.

A car's horn, when close by, is roughly 120 db. Even by DOSH standards you can listen to this for 7.5 minutes per day.

What does all of this mean? Rock on!!!

As for whether you have damaged hearing or not; can you hear a pin drop? If so, you're doing fine.

Have fun,
Jerry

jon_010101 · « **Reply #19 on:** 15 Dec 2008, 09:12 pm »

70-75dB average for typical compressed rock music, but for very dynamic music I crank it for ~85dB peaks.