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.
it's simple - the secret is to use BIG speakers, but listen at a low volume (you need a good active preamp) ... get a powerful rich quiet sound ... small speakers will not give such an effect - they cannot push air - they "pierce" it like a needle in audio - everything was invented a long time ago))) there is almost nothing new |
(RIGHT ROOM) VOLUME (RRV). Get the volume set right THEN NEVER CHANGE IT Yup you read that right, once it’s set for a particular source you don’t change irrespective of the type of music. RRV as I call it should become de facto but if isn’t As the OP points out this a rarely discussed issue BUT IT IS CRUCIAL to your listening enjoyment. I opened a similar discussion on another forum, which claims to know ‘what’s best’. They piled in. Couldn’t handle my reasoned arguments. The forum owner even challenged me to post some decibel readings coz he wouldn’t accept I was doing it right AND playing at decent sound levels, even in a small room. So I took his challenge posted three readings … and the coward backed down and closed the thread. What a woos! So yes RRV challenges the norm. But boy does it work. Dial in your RRV and never touch that volume button again. Just enjoy the music. |
Even in my twenties I didn't like to have a stereo be so loud you couldn't hear someone else speak. All those decades later, I can't handle loud volume, period. Re this: "To me, one of the most important subjective measure of a system is how it sounds at low volume." @larryi, how right you are! I've listened to low volume music while working in home office for 25+ years. I've had a number of systems over that time. I found that sealed/acoustic suspension designs + a subwoofer play better at low volume than ported designs. Never heard horns, ribbons, or other high efficiency designs, so can't comment on those. At least in my home office, I get terrific low volume sound from either the ATC SCM 12 Pros or the vintage KEF 103.2s. And with either pair of speakers, on those occasions when I feel like cranking it, the walls shake. |
@mijostyn --
I didn't address my question about "the rest" to you, but rather aimed it at a general tendency in audiophilia to be less invested in a range of core parameters (i.e.: the rest) like dynamics, scale, size of presentation, ease, etc.
You somehow got the derogatory idea about Mr. Turnbull's setup, through Mr. DeVore descriptions, that is was merely "enjoyable" sounding to the ears of a novice audience who were easily impressed, and opposed it with the more desirable high-end trait of "accuracy." I just found it a reductive remark and an odd takeaway from the video. Listen to what John has to say from 10:07:
Exactly; why would the ones who heard Mr. Turnbull's setup be less right in this regard? |
