How loud is loud, What DB is actually loud?

Ok I wrote that one pretty quick, I listen to mostly rock rap hip hop funk old school that needs some punch.

I am planning on using 2 subwoofers

I was looking at the quad esl's and people say they wont play loud but how loud is loud? Is more of a question of House party loud or just rocking out. I want to be able to play my music loud but i dont need to hit ear bleeding levels but I am also 26 and what good is your system if it doesnt knock at this time (remember 95% of you got into this because you liked rock) I got caught up in audiophile recordings until I realized I love music I love and theres no money in HI-Res or remastering what I listen too (People who listen to classical typically have money LOL)

So basicly, With a 200 watt amp high current aside (I know its a big point and If anyone can go really into depth it would be awesome) And inneficient speakers I should still be able to produce an awesome enough experience for a younger audiophile who still rocks out, watches movies, uses it for backround working music?

Also Im curious Mofi, I saw amplified rock music was 110-130DB but at the same point we all grew up wearing ear plugs at shows as you cant stand the pain otherwise, based on this at what DB do you get to the point where it sounds awesome but you dont blow your hearing or cause pain, Is this based on all humans or tweeter types, listening room reflections, genetic heritage (Im not racist and I dont mean to offend anyone, but is it possible that certain areas of people at some point had to develop a better sense of hearing in order to survive) or other factors unknown.

Wow alot of questions

Thanks a million, all of the help i have ever recieved from you all you have been amazingly helpful in my search to rebuild from the ground up and actually do it right this time as im knocking on wood.

A quad ESl would not be the speaker for what you are looking to do. For me 90-95 db is very loud and i dont normally listen that loud a din. Normally 80-84 db nominal with peaks at or near to 95 db is about the loudest i like to listen at home.

For you :

http://www.vmpsaudio.com/loudspeakers.htm

http://www.legacyaudio.com/

regards,

Can't really go wrong with a pair of Klipsch speakers, say around 96dB sensivity.

Frank

more to it then it's sensitivity :) Some of the best sounding speakers are in the 80-90db efficiency area

I think it depends on the person on what DB is loud. I prefer loud music.... & movies my brother doesn't like it anywhere close to as loud as I like it. Never put a SPL meter to my stereo to know how loud it is.... did years ago in my car audio days.... 135-140db is all I would do since it was a SQ setup

I agree with the Klipsch comment! Very good speakers for the money, and very efficient.....easy to push! I personally have spent much cash on my system over the years, and also love to rock out! That being said, when sitting in the listening chair, with the volume cranked up, and I mean helicopter in the room with you loud, it's still only 90 to 95db, in the listening chair.

I don't know how rock concerts come up with these big numbers, think it must be because they are pumping out pure distortion. At 90 to 95db in my listening room, you swear you could pound nails into the wall with the bass, incredible!

As for what type of speaker to buy, I don't think electrostatic or planar are the way to go for you! Both can be great speakers, but generally like lots of power to get the bass working well, which all starts to cost you money. For a reasonable amount you can get some nice Klipsch.......and get the volume bug out of your system!