Does loudness play a part in your appreciation?
I wish it weren’t so but listening at high volume (around 70 decibels) tends to make me get more involved in the music.
How about you?
My source for audio decibel levels: https://www.gcaudio.com/tips-tricks/decibel-loudness-comparison-chart/ |
This post inspired me to listen with a decibel meter to my desk top and main systems. I thought that 70dB seemed relatively low, but no. Mid-70s seemed pretty satisfying--about the level I ususaly listen at. The experiment also reminded me that very small increment can make all the difference. 78dB sounds very different than 75dB. Also, I think it is better to start at a relatively low volume and then increase to taste. Once a certain loudness threshold is crossed it is very hard to back off to a satisfying level, perhaps because your ears have been overstimulated, but that is a non-scientific guess. |
I tend to prefer to listen to several genres, (rock, pop, country, classical, jazz) at peak loudness of 80-88 dB. The softer parts being in the 70 dBs. Peaks above 90 dB start to feel uncomfortable after a few minutes. I'm seated about 8' from the plane of the speakers. My room is 14'x15'. 8' ceiling. Acoustically treated. |
