How Loud Do You Listen??? Do You Know?????????


I found myself having to re-balance the speakers in my HT today….. well, I have both the digital and analog Radio Shack meters (wouldn’t have bought the analog…but thought the Great Dane had eaten the digital one so….). well, I sat around tonight after setting up the Halloween decorations listening to music….. and had the SPL meters out…….

I must say I was surprised to find out that I was listening to music @ 94 dBs! (FWIW It was Elton John Funeral For a Friend, SACD). I know I have demo’d my system for friends at much higher volumes… I’m afraid to document the levels there…….

I must admit, my stereo/HT handled this level perfectly! I could have gone louder…if I needed, but I just don’t think I do!!!

I’m curious if any of you have documented how loud you listen to your tunes at??

FWIW I don’t normally listen at this level…it was a good day….
kennyt
Tvad,
How true. That's another reason why I listen to music alone. I'm there to listen to music, not some joker trying
to cary on a conversation.
That last sentence was supposed to read. I'm there to listen to music, not some joker who is trying to cary on a conversation.
Q_man if at 19 feet your systems SPL is what you say it is, how come your system has not taken off and is still on ground :) Did you know that the Concorde generates 130 db SPL at take off?

SPL measurements are done at 1 meter, not at 19 feet, God only knows what your systems SPL's must be at 1 meter. I would not like to go near it!
My rear center is only 7' behind me, and my left and right surrounds are 8' to either side. That helps some with the readings. All my speakers are full range and have a 104db sensitivity rating and I'm feeding them 200 watts each. The efficiency of the speakers is the main thing.

At 104db from my seat I only will listen for about 20 minutes or a song or two at a time that I really like. Then it is back down to 94db.The sound is still very clean at 104, but I don't want to over do it on my ears. Most of the time I'm at 94db, and I can sit there for guite a while.
Q-man, I surrender unconditionally :)

I am glad to know you restrict yourself listening to it loud for a shorter period of time. Sometimes it does help to get the adrenaline flowing freely!

Cheers!