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What is the proper loudness for listening?

Paul McGowan via YouTube claims that each room, system and recording has a specific sound level at which music sounds most "real"

I've noticed this myself listening to my 3 different systems set up in differing rooms. Thought I was crazy to think so but I guess maybe I'm not?

Also, have notice in smaller listening rooms that lower maximum volume levels sound more real.  Going too high on volume in a small room just overloads it and results in distortion

Any comments?

bobbydd
yoyoyaya's avatar
yoyoyaya
742 posts
 

80-85 db is as loud as I go and I'm happy to listen at way lower levels than that at night when the ambient noise level is lower.

chester_bunger's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
chester_bunger
14 posts
 

Are android spl apps accurate enough to be used in this discussion? 

forestg
26 posts
 

@chester_bunger Sure! I have the NIOSH SLM app on my iPhone and iPad. I’m sure they make one for Android. I think it works well.

lwin's avatar
lwin
570 posts
 

I agree with mapman in that I tend to listen in the 85 to 90 dba range. 

dinov's avatar
dinov
834 posts
 

It’s really up to you. I listen at a variety of different levels based on what I want to hear, how I want to hear it, if it’s emotional to me, if there are other people listening with me, etc etc. Also listen so that you can hear the music clearly, define the soundstage, and enjoy the material. 

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