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Does It have to be loud?

Are you also under the impression that when people (or manufacturers) demo their equipment, they maintain sound pressure levels between 90-100 Dba. In general this is done in rooms being too small, and therefore the room will heavily interact with the sound heard in that room. Often, when you ask to lower the volume, the actual result is better, and –most likely- provides you with the information you were looking for. So, my question here is, do you also prefer to listen in the 90-100 dba range? Or do you –like myself- like to listen in the 70-90 dba sound pressure range? Of course, I’m referring to sound pressure levels at the listening position, which –in my case- is about 4 meter away from the speaker. 

128x128han_n
initforthemusic
282 posts
 
All of my systems go to "11".
jafant
18,975 posts
 
Absolutely! initforthemusic
Happy Listening!
giantsalami's avatar
giantsalami
211 posts
 
Loud is good! I have the Modwright Pre-amp, which does indeed "go to eleven"
larryi
3,781 posts
 
I am with the crowd that thinks the ability to sound good at lower volume is a high priority.  Yes, the ability to play at high volume is a criterion of performance, but, the ability to sound dynamic, full and exciting at low volume is more important to me.  I know one can show that classical music has an enormous dynamic range such that the peaks can be well over 100 db.  But, recordings don't come close to delivering the full dynamic range; if you set the peaks at 100 db, the quiet passages are unrealistically loud and inappropriate.  I don't ever play such music at "realistic" peak volume.  For amplified music, I don't ever want to attempt to duplicate a live performance; frankly, if my system only sounded as good as perfectly reproducing such performances, I would dump it.

The very best systems at sounding good at low volume levels also tend to ones that are highly efficient and easy to drive.  That allows the use of low-powered amps.  That is a really big deal to me because ALL of the amps I really like happen to be quite low in output (the most powerful is a custom-built OTL amp at 30 watts).  I haven't heard most of the high-powered candidates out there, but, I've heard a few and they have the same problem--they sound dull and lifeless and un-engaging, particularly if you don't crank up the volume.  
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@larryi   +1 on your post. 

Question regarding:

That allows the use of low-powered amps. That is a really big deal to me because ALL of the amps I really like happen to be quite low in output

Are you primarily referring to tubed amplification? If so, does the same apply to Solid State amplification? Thank you.
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