Turn down the Volume!
One topic that seems rarely discussed is volume. If you listen to mixing engineers, it’s their most feared aspect of how their work is measured, since it’s out of their control. This leads to things like loudness wars (assume the worst). As my system has improved, my main takeaway is I can be engaged with 60db peaks, where when I hear other systems you often have to turn it up to 90db peaks for it to sound decent. I’m pretty sure it all has to do with bass and room energy, but wonder if others have a similar experience. Side note that reviews or any subjective ‘better’ statements about gear rarely indicate how loud they are listening. since all we can perceive if volume it is puzzling. I will say if it sounds good with 110 db peaks then that is impressive.
i think people know this, but just in case... https://www.noisyplanet.nidcd.nih.gov/parents/too-loud-too-long https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hearing_loss/what_noises_cause_hearing_loss.html https://leader.pubs.asha.org/do/10.1044/leader.FTR2.25052020.52 https://www.miracle-ear.com/blog-news/what-is-loud-decibel-chart |
Thanks. Those are very interesting. I have a general understanding, but was interesting to see the details. I started plugging my ears at concerts 30 years ago as I started to realize I really did not want to damage my hearing and most electrified concerts are too loud. I just stopped attending electrified concerts about 15 years ago; they sound terrible and are usually too loud. |
For me, it’s simple. I raise the volume to the point of the music, whatever it may be, sounds realistic and actually scales per the performance. If it is louder, it seems artificial and too large, too quiet, the opposite. I would say for most all, it is between 75-85 db. If louder, it typically means that it is still a realistic ‘size’ in my room. |
@bkeske I think that’s what I’m trying to address. When auditioning a new amp/ preamp, the music was lifeless and dull until it got to that 80 db area. But with my normal system it sounds great at 60. So it seems to impact the hobby and wondered why it isn’t mentioned more. Especially in reviews it never mentions listening levels. Also at 60 the music is just as lively, just perhaps ‘farther away’ in the soundstage. |
