Music better at night...as good as it gets!

[djreef]

Im thinking that molecular density might help with frequency clarity, much in the same way that hearing a penny hit the bottom of a swimming pool @ 30ft might, just in a less dramatic way.

DJ

 

[Irvrobinson]

I've found these factors maximize listening enjoyment day or night:

1. Calm winds. Winds make background noise. Even a very solid house has edges and they raise the ambient noise level.

2. No HVAC systems. My RTA shows my HVAC system injects a 57db noise level centered at about 55Hz, with a bump at 110Hz.

3. No other background noise. Trucks, cars, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, dish washers. whatever. Less likely at night, but also absent early on Sunday morning too.

4. Fresh ears. Music always seems to sound better after an extended period of quiet.

5. Clear ears. I have allergies. If I'm stuffed up for any reason everything sounds thin and lifeless. I'm guessing the stuffiness impairs my hearing the lower octaves.

6. Closing my eyes. My system images incredibly well. But I really can't appreciate it with my eyes open, as if the reality of what my eyes see impairs my brain's ability to focus on phantom sound sources.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Im thinking that molecular density might help with frequency clarity, much in the same way that hearing a penny hit the bottom of a swimming pool @ 30ft might, just in a less dramatic way.

DJ

With water in the pool? I have no idea you would hear that no matter what

Temperature differences? Now you have a memory factor and other stronger factors contributing to differences as I would think that if one listens for 2 hours, the temperature will be pretty constant in that short span. I doubt 1 degree would affect anything enough to be audible.

Air density? Again, how much difference and effects of that density delta.

I just don't even entertain these thoughts so I don't notice it.

I've found these factors maximize listening enjoyment day or night:

1. Calm winds. Winds make background noise. Even a very solid house has edges and they raise the ambient noise level.

2. No HVAC systems. My RTA shows my HVAC system injects a 57db noise level centered at about 55Hz, with a bump at 110Hz.

3. No other background noise. Trucks, cars, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, dish washers. whatever. Less likely at night, but also absent early on Sunday morning too.

4. Fresh ears. Music always seems to sound better after an extended period of quiet.

5. Clear ears. I have allergies. If I'm stuffed up for any reason everything sounds thin and lifeless. I'm guessing the stuffiness impairs my hearing the lower octaves.

6. Closing my eyes. My system images incredibly well. But I really can't appreciate it with my eyes open, as if the reality of what my eyes see impairs my brain's ability to focus on phantom sound sources.

Yes, all of these would be a good factor, especially the background noise floor. 57 dB is huge. You add maybe 80 dB on top for a peak.

 

[djreef]

With water in the pool? I have no idea you would hear that no matter what

Temperature differences? Now you have a memory factor and other stronger factors contributing to differences as I would think that if one listens for 2 hours, the temperature will be pretty constant in that short span. I doubt 1 degree would affect anything enough to be audible.

Air density? Again, how much difference and effects of that density delta.

I just don't even entertain these thoughts so I don't notice it.



Yes, all of these would be a good factor, especially the background noise floor. 57 dB is huge. You add maybe 80 dB on top for a peak.

I was referring more to the amplification effect. Don't tell me you never played throw the penny in the swimming pool as a child. While listening submerged, when the penny hits the bottom it sounds like it landed right next to you, even though its several yards away.

DJ

 

[mtrycrafts]

I was referring more to the amplification effect. Don't tell me you never played throw the penny in the swimming pool as a child. While listening submerged, when the penny hits the bottom it sounds like it landed right next to you, even though its several yards away.

DJ

Can't say I have.

 

[Boru]

For me everything is better in the dead of night. Movies, music, Im more relaxed, I own the night, its easier for me to absorb the fine details of sound when Im stress free and not distracted.

 

[MidnightSensi2]

My favorite thing is listening to music really late at night driving a car.

 

[cpp]

The music played at my lake house sounds the same as the music played in my home in town. Day or night doesn't seem to make a difference. But of course if one consumed a few brews or if one had partaken in some fine rum that could make a difference.

 

[j_garcia]

I was referring more to the amplification effect. Don't tell me you never played throw the penny in the swimming pool as a child. While listening submerged, when the penny hits the bottom it sounds like it landed right next to you, even though its several yards away.

DJ

It isn't amplification, it simply travels through the water more quickly and is echoing off of all of the sides of the pool. Through solids, sound travels considerably faster, which is exactly why I was confused by the fact that it travels faster through warm air than cold. Technically, water isn't "solid" though, but sound still travels through it faster than through air and apparently, more of it is preserved over distances. That's why whale songs can be heard literally hundreds of miles away.

 

[mtrycrafts]

... That's why whale songs can be heard literally hundreds of miles away.

And why those insanely powerful Navy sonars can wreak havoc with whales over a great distance.

 

[j_garcia]

And why those insanely powerful Navy sonars can wreak havoc with whales over a great distance.

Naval traffic period. I looked it up actually, to try to find out how far it was and one article I found said the average background noise level of the oceans has gone up by 12dB since the 60s.

 

[Grador]

Naval traffic period. I looked it up actually, to try to find out how far it was and one article I found said the average background noise level of the oceans has gone up by 12dB since the 60s.

That is pretty insane to think about

 

[Jeff R.]

I am not buying the air temp or humidity....splitting hairs. I personally do not feel it makes a difference in the time of day. It is all about your state of mind relaxed ready to focus, couple of beers, your mood, etc.....I think most folks are just more relaxed in the evening. For me I love a beautiful Sunny Sunday afternoon with some cold brews. Just my 2 cents.

 

[DD66000]

Well, as I said before, some of my best listening experiences were first thing in the morning, still dark, but wide awake after a good night's sleep. Ready to start the new day.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I am not buying the air temp or humidity

Didn't know it was up for sale?

....splitting hairs.

I don't have the tools for that.

I personally do not feel it makes a difference in the time of day. It is all about your state of mind relaxed ready to focus, couple of beers, your mood, etc.....I think most folks are just more relaxed in the evening. For me I love a beautiful Sunny Sunday afternoon with some cold brews. Just my 2 cents.

The only thing I would think that would really matter is the noise floor caused by outside influences.

 

[Jeff R.]

Yes, maybe outside noise, I don't have a big difference where I live between day and night time surrounding noise, but I can see living by a busy road or something could be a factor. Just turn up the volume

 

[tattoo_Dan]

There can be a number of reasons why we seem to (or really do) hear better at night.

The biggest reason is that there is usually less ambient noise at night or in the wee hours of the morning. In the mid-day and evening, there are lots of cars, work, people talking, etc. The ambient noise level is typically much higher during the day, which masks quiet and subtle sounds.

that was my first thought I live somewhat close to a freeway and live in a crappily insulated older mobile home. so yes,IMO that can have a lot to do with it.

 

[djreef]

It isn't amplification, it simply travels through the water more quickly and is echoing off of all of the sides of the pool. Through solids, sound travels considerably faster, which is exactly why I was confused by the fact that it travels faster through warm air than cold. Technically, water isn't "solid" though, but sound still travels through it faster than through air and apparently, more of it is preserved over distances. That's why whale songs can be heard literally hundreds of miles away.

Right, I was using amplification as more of a perceptual reference, not a literal one. I feel heavier air helps to focus certain frequencies (upper midrange) because of the altered time domain, almost like a slight lensing effect.

...on a side note as I'm listening to Lyle Lovett directly under one, how many folks turn their ceiling fans off at night, thus reducing both noise and reflection/deflection issues?

DJ