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What is the sound level of Your Listening Room?

I am curious about what the sound level is at your listening position with your system turned off. I have checked mine and during the day it is about 43 dB and at 1:00 a.m. it can be as low as 28. I can improve the daytime level to 35 dB by turning off the refrigerators and air conditioner. What have you done to improve the sound level of your room?

I am considering adding a listening room to the back of my garage (wife is on board because she needs more storage space) and if you have made improvements that have reduced your ambient noise, please share them.
128x128baclagg
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
barts, congrats on what will be an excellent environment! Kudos! You will LOVE the solitude! The music will be stunning in such a space. 

Yes, when I breath heavier, the meter jumps by a couple dB. 
sandthemall
544 posts
 
This morning I got an average reading of 18.4db
with a low of 13.8db in my living (listening) room. I have an acoustic ceiling in the living room. It’s not an open layout. Hardwood floor and giant Persian rug.

I think old houses with new windows may be quieter. Quiet neighborhood does help.

I do hear faint road and freeway noise and the quartz wall clock ticking.

fiesta75
1,378 posts
 
Not low enough. If you guys are getting 20dB, that is absolutely fantastic! 
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,990 posts
 
I quoted 22 above from memory but tested now at 19 LAF on Sound Analyser App on S20 phone. Upstairs in kitchen 23dB. Even with some clown nearby with a leafblower.
baclagg's avatar
baclagg OP
151 posts
 
Thank you everyone for your replies to this post. I was up at 1:30 this morning and sat down in my living room to see what I would get. The average was 32 dB. I thing all of the air conditioner units running in town are adding to the noise floor. I am definitely going to look into some of the techniques I have read above to try to make my new space as quiet as possible. Would it be weird if I started looking for a new house with a finished basement instead of adding on?...lol. I think my wife would think so.
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