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Does It have to be loud?

Are you also under the impression that when people (or manufacturers) demo their equipment, they maintain sound pressure levels between 90-100 Dba. In general this is done in rooms being too small, and therefore the room will heavily interact with the sound heard in that room. Often, when you ask to lower the volume, the actual result is better, and –most likely- provides you with the information you were looking for. So, my question here is, do you also prefer to listen in the 90-100 dba range? Or do you –like myself- like to listen in the 70-90 dba sound pressure range? Of course, I’m referring to sound pressure levels at the listening position, which –in my case- is about 4 meter away from the speaker. 

han_n

Showing 3 responses by david_ten

david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@larryi   +1 on your post. 

Question regarding:

That allows the use of low-powered amps. That is a really big deal to me because ALL of the amps I really like happen to be quite low in output

Are you primarily referring to tubed amplification? If so, does the same apply to Solid State amplification? Thank you.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@larryi Thank you very much for your response. It’s very helpful.

I’m at a fork in the road with amplification (tubed or solid state) and have essentially chosen the solid state path. I’m also preparing to evaluate a few (new to me) solid state amps. My current amp is the Pass XA-30.8 The Pass performs very well at low listening levels, for my needs and preferences. Speakers are the Tekton SEs (99dB 2.83V@1m).

I hope your findings (copied below) do not bear out, as I am hopeful that my low powered options will perform well at low listening volumes (though I understand and generally agree with what you are saying below, especially at lower price points).

But, when even decent sounding solid state amps are played at the lower levels I prefer, they sound a bit lifeless, and I tend to lose interest.

If you have additional thoughts and advice regarding this, please share (PM me if it makes more sense to reach out that way). Thanks!
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
Wasn't it Bosch who pointed out that LA women start losing parts when cranked up?
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