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What is the proper loudness for listening?

Paul McGowan via YouTube claims that each room, system and recording has a specific sound level at which music sounds most "real"

I've noticed this myself listening to my 3 different systems set up in differing rooms. Thought I was crazy to think so but I guess maybe I'm not?

Also, have notice in smaller listening rooms that lower maximum volume levels sound more real.  Going too high on volume in a small room just overloads it and results in distortion

Any comments?

bobbydd
lanx0003
882 posts
 

60-75 dBA during the days and 40-65 during the nights. Anything beyond 75dBA in my listening position in room becomes too noisy. And, yes, my best half will come to give me a friendly reminder. Also, when I listen with foobar2000 / laptop at 60-75 dBA, I will turn on the EQ with 2-6 dB up in the bass bandwidths (below 110 Hz) and 2-3 dB up in the treble bandwidths (above 7kHz) to possibly reach the equal loudness contour levels. At night, these SPLs are raised to 4-9 dB in the bass bands and 3-4 dB in the treble bands.

larsman's avatar
larsman
2,020 posts
 

Whatever volume I happen to enjoy listening at at the time is the proper volume. 

ditusa's avatar
ditusa
1,898 posts
 

@snilf,

Frequencies below 500Hz are felt as well as heard, see Bone Conduction.😎 Article

Mike

jumia
528 posts
 

Things sound better than louder they are. Just below the point where it gets uncomfortable and where are you notice distortion. 

Treat yourself every once in a while. But overall keep it around 75 because it does damage hearing over Time.

Oh and get rid of the reverberations in the room.

 

rodman99999
6,170 posts
 

Oh and get rid of the reverberations in the room.

                              Couldn't agree more!

                 Room treatment = absolute necessity

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