How loud do you listen?

[brad1138]

For those of you with a spl meter, have you ever checked how loud your music is when listening at your favorite level? I am talking about stereo listening. I was surprised to find that mine averages between 80 & 90 dB. Even when I felt it was fairly loud and the wife was complaining it was only ~90 dB.

Brad

 

[Seth=L]

If the wife can hear it, it's too loud.

 

[ski2xblack]

I listen at about the same volumes, averages in the 80's, peaks mid to high 90's, and that seems pretty loud to me. Every once in a while I'll crank it to realize the full dynamics of a good recording (think of really bombastic Mahler or something), and for those times the loudness doesn't seem excessive, even on the super loud crescendoes. I listen to blues and rock at louder average volumes, but the peaks aren't tremendously greater than the average. I rarely listen at average levels >90 for more than very brief periods. And I use earplugs at amplified shows, just can't stand 100+db levels for very long. Damn, that makes me feel old. :/

You don't need excessive volume to get extremely pleasing sound, and you can listen all day at moderate volumes. It's nice to have the capability to rock it, however, for when the urge strikes.

My issue with the woman is getting her to stop blaring that damn Dave freakin' Matthews at concert levels.

 

[just-some-guy]

yur all a bunch ah slack jawed fargots ....

 

[ski2xblack]

yur all a bunch ah slack jawed fargots ....

Project much?

 

[Seth=L]

yur all a bunch ah slack jawed fargots ....

Um.....what?

 

[pzaur]

My volume dial goes to 11 instead of 10. That's one louder than ten. So, I turn it all the way to 11.

-pat

 

[highfigh]

yur all a bunch ah slack jawed fargots ....

This, coming from a sexual Tyrannosaurus, eh?

 

[highfigh]

My volume dial goes to 11 instead of 10. That's one louder than ten. So, I turn it all the way to 11.

-pat

I went to see some guys who I know, play on Friday night. I let the guitar player use my amp and he has the reissue version- they actually go to 12.

Unfortunately, the sound guy seemed to think he was mixing for Woodstock or something. Not a huge club, not a big crowd (unfortunately, MKE people don't go to see live music the way they once did) and it was far too loud, even during the sound check. I put my ear plugs in early.

 

[walter duque]

When all my neighbors are out (like in the afternoon) I like to run it at around 115db's, and I start off with "Money For Nothing", it just sounds so good. That's a comfortabe level for my system.

 

[Rickster71]

When all my neighbors are out (like in the afternoon) I like to run it at around 115db's, and I start off with "Money For Nothing", it just sounds so good. That's a comfortabe level for my system.

How did I know you were going to find this thread?
I've heard your setup, and have seen the spackle and paint dust fall off the ceiling and walls.
It really says a lot for those Source Technology speakers you use.

 

[yepimonfire]

well i don't have an SPL meter, but the volume control goes down to -71dB i listen at -30dB 0dB is full power at 0dB on a recording (max input signal) which we all know most music today is compressed up to the 0dB limit. considering at max peak input thats about a 50w gain that means +17 dB on my speakers sensitivity rating, which is 89dB that means i'm listening between 95-100 dB (since music is not always at peak level) if the figures and stuff are correct that is very loud, i'm going to take a stab at about 90-95 dB. although i would hope its not that loud. i'll have to check with an SPL meter sometime. all i know is it's loud enough you have to speak loudly to be heard over it.

EDIT: ok yes it probably is that loud, i just checked the volume level at -30 and it is alot louder then i thought, god im going to go deaf, time to stick with -35

 

[just-some-guy]

Um.....what?

This, coming from a sexual Tyrannosaurus, eh?

lol. i thought at least 1 guy would get it.

PREDATOR, when JESSE VENTURA and crew are in the helicopter, on their way to the forest were the alien is. he offers the crew a pick of chewing tobacco .
they all say no. he then says = YOUR ALL A BUNCH OF SLACK JAWED FAGOTS.
that is a GREAT movie.

 

[highfigh]

lol. i thought at least 1 guy would get it.

PREDATOR, when JESSE VENTURA and crew are in the helicopter, on their way to the forest were the alien is. he offers the crew a pick of chewing tobacco .
they all say no. he then says = YOUR ALL A BUNCH OF SLACK JAWED FAGOTS.
that is a GREAT movie.

Remember "Me too. Mine's as big as a house"?

 

[just-some-guy]

nope ..........

 

[Seth=L]

nope ..........

*walks away confused*

 

[jamie2112]

Are you all measuring in A or C weighting on your SPL meters? Just wondering ....

 

[tcarcio]

What..........:d

 

[brad1138]

Are you all measuring in A or C weighting on your SPL meters? Just wondering ....

C weighting. Before I got my M-3SIs I had Def Tech BP-10s that would get into the 110+ range, I don't like to drive the M3s that hard, but they have such a "big" sound that I think they come across louder than most at whatever level they are at.

When all my neighbors are out (like in the afternoon) I like to run it at around 115db's, and I start off with "Money For Nothing"

One of, if not my fav. to crank it to. Disc 2 of Peter Gabriels "Secret World Live" is great also. I'll have to test it when I have Green Day or U2 DVDs going in surround sound, I enjoy cranking that more. But that normally bothers neighbors for a block in every direction, so I don't think I'll disrupt this quiet Sunday

 

[jamie2112]

What..........:d

http://www.sfu.ca/sonic-studio/handbook/Sound_Level_Meter.html