From my listening position, I keep it at no more than 80 dB SPL on the peaks, and usually around 70-75 dB SPL average, using a Radio Shack digital SPL meter. Above 80 and hearing damage begins.
When your hearing is not very good......
I recently acquired a nice hifi system for free which I detailed in another thread in the amps forum. I was not an audiophile prior to this and I'm not sure I am one now. However, I'm enjoying learning about all this and can tell a definite and significant improvement in sound quality compared to my basic old consumer level system.
However, I'm 55 years old and I have definite hearing loss in my left ear from guns, rock concerts and heavy equipment. I also have tinnitus in both ears that I can hear 24/7. So these are limitations that cannot be overcome medically (I am certain of that) nor with audio equipment tweaking I'd assume.
I can live with that.
But it begs the question about what to do going forward. There are some additions to the system that I'd already like to make in regard to things like a DAC and phono preamp. I am already disinclined to spend a bunch of money on such items and they range from $50 to thousands and there is always the assurance that every dollar spent will result in tangible improvements. And I believe that is true to a certain extent. But with my limitations and my tendency towards being tight with my money, it is hard to know where to draw the line.
So I'm curious how others handle issues with their hearing in regard to the cost vs reward ratio. Or when the hearing tanks is it just time to find another hobby?
Finally, given the dangers of sound exposure that I am a perfect example of, what level of decibels do you hard core folks expose yourselves to with regard to your music? Do you measure it? What is your cutoff?
However, I'm 55 years old and I have definite hearing loss in my left ear from guns, rock concerts and heavy equipment. I also have tinnitus in both ears that I can hear 24/7. So these are limitations that cannot be overcome medically (I am certain of that) nor with audio equipment tweaking I'd assume.
I can live with that.
But it begs the question about what to do going forward. There are some additions to the system that I'd already like to make in regard to things like a DAC and phono preamp. I am already disinclined to spend a bunch of money on such items and they range from $50 to thousands and there is always the assurance that every dollar spent will result in tangible improvements. And I believe that is true to a certain extent. But with my limitations and my tendency towards being tight with my money, it is hard to know where to draw the line.
So I'm curious how others handle issues with their hearing in regard to the cost vs reward ratio. Or when the hearing tanks is it just time to find another hobby?
Finally, given the dangers of sound exposure that I am a perfect example of, what level of decibels do you hard core folks expose yourselves to with regard to your music? Do you measure it? What is your cutoff?
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