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What decibel level do you listen at?

poor grammer on the question, I know, but I recently downloaded the SPL Meter app for my iPhone and I am shocked by how low the volume level actually is when I listen to music.

I thought I was normally listening at high SPL levels, but I have found that at about 85 it's too loud to think (when it reads 65, you can't talk to someone else in the room). I checked it against my real SPL Meter and the readings are pretty accurate.

I thought I was listening at about 90+ dbl on average, but I have discovered it's actually about 60 to 75 db, and that actually seems loud to me. I guess I'm happy about that, but does anyone else check the Decibel level, and what's considered "Reference Level"?
macdadtexas
macdadtexas OP
1,794 posts
 
ditto, but I am surprised that what sounds extremely loud to me, and is still crystal clear, registers at 85 db. 90 db, can't stay in the room, need to move to the next room.
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daverz
487 posts
 
My "neighbors are out" listening volume seems to have peak levels of about 85 dB. I suppose climaxes in Bruckner, Mahler, or Shostakovich might get up to 90 dB. Hard to say what the average is for big Romantic and post-Romantic works.

I just put on the Clash's London Calling (2000 CD), and an 80 dB average level is really above what I'd normally find a comfortable listening level ("too loud to think"), and even 75dB average seems to be my "indulgent" volume.

Part of this may be that the default Vandersteen bass EQ procedure results in very warm bass. On music with lots of low, synthesized bass it can be kind of overwhelming.
nilthepill
842 posts
 
~ 88 dbs tops. If any higher I know it is higher and that rare case I adjust volume down accordingly. My volume is optimized (for my room)for all sources (two CD and three TTs)-For Most recordings I don't have to touch the volume dial and it is loud enough.
bryoncunningham
890 posts
 
My average is around 85dB, with brief peaks, on some recordings, as high as 100dB.

As several people have pointed out, my volume level is largely determined by the quality and dynamic range of the recording. I have also noticed, as has been mentioned, that when I "improve" my system, particularly my room, I can usually listen 2-3 dB louder with the same comfort level.

The other factor that seems to determine how loud I listen is the level of ambient noise inside and outside the house. Late a night, when the house and the neighborhood are quiet, I get the same impact with lower volume levels.
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