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. 

dain

@phusis, thank you for the psychoanalysis. 

What about the rest? Every little detail is important, some more than others. It is attention to details that moves a system towards state of the art performance, even the minor ones. I stated exactly what accurate is and it is a target to shoot at, a reference point. Although our audio memory stinks those of us who frequent live events on a regular basis and are paying attention usually have a good idea what accurate is even though we can not define it. We know when we hear it. 

Specific about what? People's preferences? What "enjoyable" is varies from person to person and depends on that individual's experience and expectations. Wild presumption? No, fact of life and I could care less who agrees with me. Your paragraph makes no sense by the way. You might want to rephrase it. Let me do it for you. In my own little pathetic world I am an arrogant, HiFi snob and proud of it. I love every inch of the the ride and am more than happy to share and assist others as well a accept advice from those whose opinions I respect. Although accuracy in sound reproduction is a vague topic and difficult to describe, it does exist. The interesting observation I have made over the years is most people, even those who are not HiFi addicts know when they hear it.

My systems can sound articulate and engaging at extremely low levels and can also play at extremely high levels or anywhere in between without strain thermal compression and with very very low distortion because most are all front horn-based.

@johnk Many with horn systems have said that low volume is still satisfying. I have experienced a horn system that was actually much louder SPL than it 'seemed' - do you measure or go by ear?

I have experienced a horn system that was actually much louder SPL than it 'seemed' - do you measure or go by ear?

 

for spl’s always measure... the ear can be fooled by small differences

many an a-b comparison is plagued by being sloppy on this front... level matching is essential

@dain +1 on jjss49. I suspect what you heard was superior micro dynamics of horn system at low volumes. Extreme high efficiency of many horns makes them come alive at much lower volumes with extremely low power amps. Amps in sweet zone at amazingly low wattage, and easily moved diaphragms at this same amazingly low wattage in horn drivers are reason for this. My Klipschorns and SET amps excel by leaps and bounds over my acoustic suspension speakers with same amps, in this regard.