Using a crappy Iphone db meter, which I've since deleted, I was typically listening in the 65-75 db range with occasional peaks approaching 80. That's in a practically nearfield setup in a small apartment.
How loud do you play music?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07558DPKN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I bought the above Sound level meter which give out peak reading.
It tuned out that peak db is around 85 db at my listening chair.
From time to time I got over 90db but I found the sound to be too loud.
But last night I recorded 105db while playing
https://www.amazon.com/Bernstein-Suite-Candide-Meditations-Divertimento/dp/B00000JXY1 .
There is some behind story for this.
About one week ago after swapping some IC cables, I started hearing ground hum.
At first I guessed that there must be some problem with IC cables but not.
Thus I pulled back two big 2KW isolation transformers that I had kept for 20 years.
I had not used them for last 7 years since they are heavy and taking lot of space.
With those two isolation transformers in Line Magnetic SET amplifier and power supply of Lansche 4.1 speakers, 80% of ground hum disappeared.
I bought one more 450W isolation transformer from Amazon and set it up with my EMMlab DAC2 and now almost 90% of ground hum are gone.
The amazing thing is that some digital sheen is also gone after setting up three isolation transformers.
I bought 2 packs of 20 magnetic cores.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BWC5ZTW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I put them on digital, IC and speaker cables.
Now I can play music above 100db without ear aching hardness.
The only drawback of magnetic cores is that it may sound less open or slightly less dynamic.
But I am comfortable with the round and musical sound after putting three isolation transformers and 30 magnetic cores.
2 packs of 20 magnetic cores cost me 24 $ including tax.
This is the best value tweak that I had done on my system.
Thomas
22 responses Add your response
Low to mid 80,s according to my works decibel meter. We usually have to check the level of new machinery after installation to see what area it needs to be designated so my meter is fairly accurate. Anyways that’s a comfortable every day level for me. Push it to high 80,s low 90,s and I am done ... Lol. Getting old. SQ is still very cohesive,it’s just me that can’t take it! |
I don’t like loud for the sake of loud. I like Dynamic Range. But most systems won’t sound dynamic at low volumes, they usually require a certain amount of energy to get cooking. Loudness and Dynamic Range are not the same thing. Almost all systems lack proper dynamics to me, but that’s just me. 😁 That’s kind if the whole idea behind the Loudness Wars - they substituted Loudness for Dynamic Range. |
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No idea how accurate the app is on my phone but I use it all the time to get a rough idea of what the SPL is. Typically between 70-80 dB with peaks at 85 gives me everything I need and I'm not doing much harm to my hearing either. I have always been more interested in getting good sound at lower SPL say 60-70 dB which would allow you to have a conversation but also enjoy all of the detail in your source material at the same time. |
It depends on the listening session, but the best sessions are where you turn it up and pressurize the room with sound you can hear and feel. It’s a real treat to be able to turn it up and not hear any distortion from the system nor rattles from anything in the room, but just pure music. It’s magical. And then you end your listening session and it decays to silence and you think, “Well that was a rush,” with a big smile on your face. |
What weightings are you posters using? An important factor: https://www.noisemeters.com/help/faq/frequency-weighting/ |
Low 80s dB is about as high as I go for extended listening sessions. I’m very cognizant of hearing damage as both my parents have moderate reduced hearing capacity now in their 80s so if genetics matter there I’m probably doomed- don’t want to accelerate that if I can help it. I never used used to wear ear plugs while mowing but just in last year since I’ve gone all in on Audio gear and love it so much I’ve found myself thinking about these things and now do wear ear protection when I’m mow. My system right now sounds so amazing since my upgrade that it’s triggered in me more consciousness to take better care of my hearing so i can enjoy for long time |