<font color='#000000'>A very handy little calculator. Thanks for the link.
I checked my own setup and the results were surprisingly accurate. According to the calculator, with my high-sensitivity speakers (96dB) and massive power (1000wpcRMS) the calculator shows a peak SPL of around 119 dB. With musical content that has a peak to average ratio of 20dB (a safe value seldom exceeded) that would put me very close to 100dB SPL as indicated on the typical SPL meter. I actually get slightly higher levels, due to room support for the lower frequencies and controlled dispersion of the higher frequencies, but the calculator results are close enough to be used as a guideline. Just don't forget to adjust for the difference between the calculated peak SPL and what we read on our SPL meters. On average that will be around 10dB, but with some recordings it can reach 20dB.
Just for the record, I don't listen with my SPL meter hitting 100dB very often, and strongly advise against the practice, as it can damage one's hearing. Recordings with lots of deep bass energy (pipe organ, synth, etc.) are less damaging, and there are a few recordings that are quite stunning at levels in excess of 100dB (on heavy bass passages) but for most recordings this is simply a way to put your ears at risk.
If your SPL meter is showing peaks of 85 to 90 dB, your ears are relatively safe, even though some transients may be 20db above the measured level. The short-term transients demand more amplifier power but their duration isn't long enough to do any damage to the ears.
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