@mijostyn, would you say spl meters will predominately pick up on a bass drum or kick drum if one is present? This has been my impression and perhaps why 1 set of speakers with a stronger bottom end and laid back signature sounds quieter than a bass shy, midrange pronounced speaker at the same spl level...
SPL Levels and Perceived Loudness
I have two main systems, the Tekton Moabs and Magnepan 3.7's. In addition I have trialed a variety of other speakers including the Vandersteen 2ce. KEF LS50, Zu Audio Omen, and Spatial Audio M1. Before each listening session I always set the levels to 75 dB using pink noise and a SPL meter sitting next to my chair. The perceived loudness of the Moabs and 3.7's matches pretty closely at the same level but all of the other, smaller, speakers sound quite a bit softer and in order for the perceived loudness to be similar I have to boost the levels by 3-7 dB. So I have two questions.
1) Why would this be true? Is there something about the area of the radiating speaker surface or size of the front of the speakers that somehow impacts how I perceive the same measured SPL volume? Is it because I am using pink noise to set levels?
2) One of the reasons to set the SPL levels at 75 dB is to minimize the risk of any hearing loss. If I turn up the measured dB to 80+ with the smaller speakers but it is perceived the same as 75 db on the bigger speakers does that increase the risk of listening ?
1) Why would this be true? Is there something about the area of the radiating speaker surface or size of the front of the speakers that somehow impacts how I perceive the same measured SPL volume? Is it because I am using pink noise to set levels?
2) One of the reasons to set the SPL levels at 75 dB is to minimize the risk of any hearing loss. If I turn up the measured dB to 80+ with the smaller speakers but it is perceived the same as 75 db on the bigger speakers does that increase the risk of listening ?