Sub Output Safety Margin

[Muzykant]

I checked the levels of my speakers and subs today with an SPL meter. Actually my subs are not calibrated to 80dB but to 75dB instead. So, they are perfectly matching my speakers, and have been all this time. Because I never listen to movies louder than absolutely necessary for comprehension, I don't think my subs are at risk of being overdriven. After all, by all accounts they should be able to do damage to whatever is not properly secured in the room.

I will play around with REW and see if I can smooth out the peaks in the response. I plan on cutting only, if at all possible. I will readjust the resulting signal to still output 75dB.

 

[fmw]

I adjust my subs to a realistic level. I always want realistic reproduction. It wouldn't even occur to me to turn them up all the say. It isn't a matter of safety. It is a matter sound reproduction.

 

[Muzykant]

Oh, it sounds plenty realistic. There is bass where there should be bass, and no bass where there is none. Level is matched to my bookshelf speakers (to be upgraded soon). It's just that I can hear the bass, but can't feel any. But I already realize that it's the way I listen to stuff. I want the dialogue in movies to be realistic, so it sounds like a person is talking at some distance and not right in your ear. But the downside to this approach, the way things are mixed, is that when a rocket takes off or there is a gunshot, the sound is realistic, but the level isn't.

Thanks to everyone that answered. I think I understand the general consensus.