What is the proper loudness for listening?

@kota1 Wrote:

Your spouse will let you know, don't worry.😲

You got that right. LOL 😁

Mike

@bobbydd Wrote:

 

What is the proper loudness for listening?

Caution: The suggested maximum exposure is 115 dBA SPL for no more then 15 minutes. (Department of Labor bulletin #334). 😎

Mike

@snilf Wrote:

Be aware, by the way, that "weighting" on SPL meters is crucial. Most are "A" weighted (note that the OSHA standard ditusa cites is given as "dBA").

See the tutorials below Decibel A, B and C:

Mike

https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/decibel-d_59.html

https://www.vernier.com/til/3500

@snilf Wrote:

Thank you, @ditusa. These are very informative links.

For one thing, low frequencies are felt as well as heard. Surely you (ditusa) are not advocating for measurements that ignore low—and high, for that matter—frequencies!

Your welcome. No, I am not advocating for measurements that ignore low and high frequencies. The Department of Labor bulletin #334 I posted about OSHA standards is their standard for safe levels, they don’t care about audio, like you and I do. I.e. full frequency bandwidth from 20Hz to 20KHz. They only care about safety, bass frequencies below 100Hz are not as detrimental to our hearing as frequencies above 100Hz. You are correct, frequencies below 500Hz are felt as well as heard, so yes C-weighted dB(C) would be better for audio.

FWIW, I bought a pair of JBL 4343’s in 1979 for my home stereo, see JBL brochure below last page top right hand corner caution:

Mike

https://www.lansingheritage.org/html/jbl/specs/pro-speakers/1977-4343.htm

@snilf,

Frequencies below 500Hz are felt as well as heard, see Bone Conduction.😎 Article

Mike