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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

Showing 4 responses by jax2

jax2
3,031 posts
 
Here is some info on the frequency correction for out of the meters normal range.[www.avsforum]

This is for the Radio Shack meter only. I think a few folks, at least the OP and myself, may be using the iPhone app by Studio Six Digital. Not sure what corrections, if any to use there.
jax2
3,031 posts
 
06-18-10: Macdadtexas
I have both of ths Jax2, and they are almost dead on, compared one to the other.

Of course Studio Six claims theirs is more accurate than the Radio Shack meter. No idea whether that is true. I have their full Audio Tools set and find I use the RTA most frequently.

Another point of interest, and contrast perhaps to what is being pointed out - I've found that with more refined and detailed speakers I do not have the inclination to turn them up louder to enjoy them. In general, the speakers I enjoy at lower volumes tend to be those that render more detail and that I'd consider more refined (I don't know if this a 'rule' or just coincidence). I'd agree, that with these speakers one is able to increase the volume to greater levels with less distortion, but it still makes me want to get away from the sound pressure, distortion or not. Good points about the answer to the question being dependent upon program material too.
jax2
3,031 posts
 
Mid 80's. I'm listing in nearfield and above 90 is not very comfortable, and certainly not enjoyable to me. I agree - over 100db is just plain stupid, IMO, unless you don't value your hearing. Daverz reference table speaks volumes. Here's more info to add to that.
jax2
3,031 posts
 
Jax2 - how do you use the RTA from Studio Six?

I use pink noise from one of the Stereophile discs to measure in-room response. You can freeze the graph and get it to yield a fixed set of measurements. I transfer those to a simple excel spreadsheet and turn that into a graph in Excel. You can overlap various samples to compare (various speakers, or different locations, etc.)
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