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What Volume do you listen at?

When you sit and listen actively to your stereo, what volume do you like to set it at?

I am thinking about replacing my mediocre system with a new High Dollar System ($30K). My guess is that when you have High End gear, you naturally want to play the music at a higher volume. Is that true for you?

I have a RadioShack Analog Sound Level meter. It tells me that when I have music on in the background I set it at about 50 dB. When I set it at what seems right for serious listening, it is more often 75 or 80 dB.

One implication of this is where I will put my new listening room. I had intended to put it in our living room (pictured in the link above). However, if I will be always wanting to play so loud that my wife will complain, perhaps I should set up a room in our basement.
hdomke
ryder
1,689 posts
 
Another consideration is your hearing. So take care of it by trying to avoid excessive and dangerous volume levels. You will thank yourself later.

Very true. In fact, I used to listen at very loud volumes when younger, probably above 100db continuous. My hearing now is little affected especially my right ear which will ring slightly if exposed to sound of high levels. Now I try to limit myself to around 50-80db but occassionally crank it up to 90db. Take good care of your ears folks.
electroid
283 posts
 
I would have thought it had been done. Of course this is a joke paying homage to Spinal Tap.

ET
wireless200
415 posts
 
I found that when I moved up to better equipment that I listen at lower volume levels. I crank it up every once in while just to get my YAs YAs out but the system really sounds better at reasonable levels. All the detail and quality is there and, especially on acoustic instruments, high volume levels just don't sound right.
regards, David
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