How loud do you like to play your music?

To all my above friends... everything said above is spot on correct. It's possible the difference I hear has something to do with my amp. In most every review of the Usher's there is a comment that the Usher's need a "big amp" to really sing. My amp is a 5 channel Theta Intrepid (100 watts) which I don't think puts it in the league of a "big amp". Both the Usher's and the Focal's are great speakers.

does any one know what osha safety levels are to prevent hearing damage ? im 38 and want to keep my ears for a while. thanks chris

Knowing no better, I bought a digi SPL meter from Rat Shak... noy yhr snsloh (fisl) yypr drbrtsl yrstd sho. I don't use it as often as I should.

I played some big band jazz from Gordon Goodwin and Illinois Jacquette and I believe some rock from Def Lep... as I like Pour Some sugar on me... and wondered just where am I with the fun knob.

Apparently I could not take prolonged listening past an avg of 94db. Peaks were higher for sure. But 94-95db is p[retty dong gone high IMO. I'm in the mid to upper 80's or less, ususally.

Truth be told, I'm such a woose with high volume settings. I keep envisioning drivers being propelled out of the cabinents, or burning up, or some other crazy scenarios resulting in equipment failure.... so the vol knob around here gets some pretty judicious attention.

having had to encroach onto the sound stage by migrating into the nearfield due to one ear now being about 4db less than the other, my listening levels have diminished a bit more I suspect.

But with live recordings and the prioper musical recordings, elevating the fun knob seems almsot mandatory. thjough not with all... I don't want to hear Johnny Hartman or Ella Fitzgerald out in the yard. Also intimately or closely miced pressings don't dictate higher levels either.

ZZ Top and Def Lepp... well thay do need some decibels... though not through the whole aolbum... just now and then.

does any one know what osha safety levels are to prevent hearing damage ? im 38 and want to keep my ears for a while. thanks chris

Here is the OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) regulation on occupational noise exposure:

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9735

As you'll see, the answer is somewhat complex and depends on volume level, frequency, and exposure time. The specified limits are based on A-weighting, which as shown in the first figure gives greatest weight to frequencies in the 2 to 4 kHz area, de-emphasizes low frequencies greatly (which is obviously a very relevant factor when it comes to listening to music), and de-emphasizes very high frequencies somewhat.

Exposure time also very dramatically affects the maximum permissible levels.

The bottom line, based on A-weighting, would seem to be captured in this sentence:

When information indicates that any employee's exposure may equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer shall develop and implement a monitoring program.

The monitoring program is required to include annual audiometric testing of employee hearing.

Also, Table G-16 specifies maximum permissible exposures which must be adhered to, whether by means of administrative controls, hearing protectors, etc. Among other numbers, these limits include exposure to levels of 90db for 8 hours per day, and 110 db for 30 minutes per day. All based on A-weighting.

Regards,
-- Al

Almag,

Since I carry my DB Meter inside the iPhone I frequently check places that have annoying SPL. Many restaurants reach well in excess of 80 DB in the waiting / bar area where floor, walls and ceiling is hard and customers don't have food in their mouth :^).

Drives me crazy. I've actually quit going some places because it makes me so uncomfortable.