2. amps-preamps
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Are your listening levels healthy? Doing damage?

Do you know decibel levels when listening to your system, and how loud do you go?

Since upgrading my system, again, I find my listening levels have tended to increase. Not because I'm slowly going deaf but because it's more enjoyable.

I measured the decibel level with a few iPad Apps, and there was lots of disparity. Plus or minus 25 dB. 

Certainly if it's too loud I sense things are not healthy but I'd really like to know how loud things are since Google tells me prolonged listening above 70 dB could be damaging my hearing.

The apps on an iPad are clearly unreliable and now I have to contemplate spending several hundred dollars for a sound meter as well as a calibration device so I can know what my limits are and so I can be in compliance with Google.

Anyone know a good sound meter, and do most serious listeners get one of these things?

 

emergingsoul
mlsstl
1,438 posts
 

Here's the link to the OHSA page concerning occupational noise exposure:

https://www.osha.gov/noise

 

travelinjack's avatar
travelinjack
187 posts
 

If you use headphones, that is where you real concern should be especially if you use IEM during airplane travel for extended periods.

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,764 posts
 

Most of my current listening is at 60-75 dbs with peaks to maybe 85 dbs.  How ever when I went to concerts as a yout, I came home with my ears ringing!

audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,175 posts
 

I always use a SPL meter as long as your peaks are not sustained over 90 db 

then you are ok which I keep my rock at most 85 db steady and 95 db peaks 

but not often 

terry9
2,342 posts
 

I find that I can enjoy low levels just as much as high levels. Actually, low level requires more attention, and I get further into the music.

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