What decibel level do you listen at? What is ideal?


I’ve noticed that my avg. dB level is in the upper 70’s to low 80’s.  Which leads me to what level do you listen at and what level do you find ideal?  

polkalover

I sit 8 ft from the Canton 9k reference stand mounted and SVS subs , my Listening db from 8 ft is in the lower 70ies with max. touching 80 db. If I go louder my ears will bleed. Full length Curtains behind gear, and in front on wall behind sitting position glass enclose large painting 3'x4' ish.Wall to wall carpet vaulted ceiling slopeing  low 8 to 16 feet high.

 

My system gets turned on around 6am, the house is asleep, keep it around 60-65db. 

Once everyone is up and about, kick it up to 75-80db. 

My system really wakes up around 90db, the sound stage gets huge, you can start to feel the bass, lots more dynamics.

Have had it up over 110db a few time, sounds great outside the house....

I find it funny that so many people listen at levels where their amps, even with very inefficient speakers, are barely putting out a watt or two or maybe 10 on peaks. What’s the point of having big powerful solid state monsters if that is so? 
 

Someone should make a high quality solid state amp that puts out 10 watts / channel but it seems that only Nelson Pass has the confidence to do so w/ his 25 watts class A amp & integrated amp & his First Watt products. There are many tube based amps that do so very well. 
 

For myself, if you don’t play great rock music, up loud at least 90db at your seat, you’re not getting the whole effect the artist intended to portray. “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking” by the Stones up loud in a big room on a good system is an experience that is unforgettable. You understand what they were all about & how powerful yet nuanced their music was as well as many other great rock bands of that era. 

@larsman you should get an actual db meter.  There's almost no way you're actually listening that low.  Your app is probably messed up unless you like library volume level soft rock

@jonwolfpell I agree that listening loud with certain genres is a must (rock, edm) but I find on my systems, around 85 db is plenty loud before your ears start compressing

@isellgoodgear this would make sense if you're staying within the same genre and time period.  Otherwise the LUFS and overall loudness can vary wildly from track to track.  Or you're using loudness normalization which destroys streamed music dynamics.  Not sure how you keep your volume at the same level??

I listen usually 75-82 db and find that will get me the full content of the music.  As an audio engineer, my ears are my job and life so I don't monitor at 85 db like I used to.  It used to be the standard but now they're saying prolonged exposure of 80+ db can be bad for your ears.  For those that like to rock, I salute you, and recommend taking breaks and get hearing tests regularly!!

@livinon2wheels highly recommend you use plus while playing your trombone.  Cheaper solutions would be Loops or Earasers.  But if you're a serious musician go get some mid ear plugs from an audiologist.  Don't mess around with your ears!