why does this happen?

[danger boy]

last night after dinner was over.. the dishes were washed and put away.. i grabbed a Corona and sat back and listened to some female vocalists on the SRS's.

Man did they sound good. either that or i had a good buzz from just one beer. ha ha ha.

Either way.. have you ever had the one time where your 2 ch rig sounds better than it ever has? I had the SPL meter out.. i wanted to know in my sweet spot how loud the music had to be to get the most out of the music..

The best sound for me was when the music was playing 75db on the low side..and around 85 to 90db on the high side. To me thats where music really shines on my system. If i turn it up anymore.. i tend to lose the coolness of the music and it turns to be annoying if it gets to loud.

Where do you listen to music at? what db level sounds best to you.. please don't say. 117db as i think that is way over kill. we all know your system can produce huge amounts of sound. So there has to be a level whereby you really get lost in the music coming from your rig.

[schwarcw]

I listen to my SDA-2's at about -25 dB. This translates into about 60 dB in the sweet spot. Music is smooth, detailed and very enjoyable. I'm an old rock in' roller. I used to listen to music in a bingo hall after the bingo playing bitches were gone. I cleaned up the mess, put away tables, etc. I used to crank up two Altec A-7s with the Crown power amps. You couldn't hear yourself thing. I had a deaf friend who used to bring some other deaf kids from his school to come and "listen" to the music. They used to lean against the concrete walls to "hear" the sound. I can't do that anymore. I don't enjoy it, you mis a lot of detil and subtle sound.

[Dennis Gardner]

75-80 db for jazz vocals is sweet. High enough to hear the details, but low enough not to fatigue. Progressive rock, Dream Theater, Kansas, etc. I like at 90db solid.

I actually like the sound of my SDA 1Cs on horn section stuff at over 100dbs. It seems live and they don't start running out of headroom til about 110db. Short passages or at the most, 1 song when I'm alone in the house.

Oh yeah, I forgot...........country music at 0dbs is perfect on my system. ;)

[danger boy]

I listen to my SDA-2's at about -25 dB. This translates into about 60 dB in the sweet spot. Music is smooth, detailed and very enjoyable. I'm an old rock in' roller. I used to listen to music in a bingo hall after the bingo playing bitches were gone. I cleaned up the mess, put away tables, etc. I used to crank up two Altec A-7s with the Crown power amps. You couldn't hear yourself thing. I had a deaf friend who used to bring some other deaf kids from his school to come and "listen" to the music. They used to lean against the concrete walls to "hear" the sound. I can't do that anymore. I don't enjoy it, you mis a lot of detil and subtle sound.

Carl, 60db sounds a little low to me.. but we all have different hearing abilities too. Like most people i crank it every chance i get too.. but for only a few songs.. music to me just isn't that enjoyable at high volumes. Of course too. you aren't going to want to listen to Metalica at 50db either. their music was made to be heard loud. :eek:

[cfrizz]

For music depending on the time of day -40db to -30db. For movies -20db to -15db.

[ND13]

How much can I pick up an spl meter for and where's the best place to get one?

I'd like to know my levels for shits and grins. :D

[danger boy]

you can find all types on ebay for all prices.. worth the small investment. :D

[PolknPepsi]

I bought my Analog meter from SVS with the sub, it's the same one at Radio Shack for about $40.00. They are kind of fun to play with and see how loud the neighborhood is you live in.

My most enjoyable music is around 30-60 decibles depending on the music. How someone can truly enjoy music at 100 plus decibles is a mystery to me. Not sure why but evenings and nights are when I find the music most enjoyable.

[audiobliss]

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103667&cp=&kw=spl&parentPage=search

Is that a good SPL meter? It only reads from 50 - 126db, but I suppose that'd be all right. It also only has A and C weightings; I have no clue what that means, so I don't know if that'd suffice.

[Ricardo]

That's the one I have and like it; all you will need is C weighting.....

I know some people prefer the analog ......though not sure why....

[reeltrouble1]

DB,

Depends on the music. I finally bought that Heart disc you like so much, yea its been out for years. So I pop it in the player, hear the Wilson sisters familiar voices I have things around 70db and I am like, dang nothing here, play a few tracks hoping things get better, they really dont, after track five I get my butt up, pump things up around 90 db and I am suddenly diggin the tunes, especially the covers from EJ and Zepplin on disc 1.

I would never play say Beethoven's Concerto for Violins at anywhere near this level, its usually somewhere around 50-60 db. Jazz and Blues say 60-70. Whatever level I can get all of the dynamics at, I want a whisper to be a whisper. Like Krall is there.

Late night, cool room, warm drink, lights down, lightshow glowing, yea baby..........

RT1

[shack]

DB,

Depends on the music. I finally bought that Heart disc you like so much, yea its been out for years. So I pop it in the player, hear the Wilson sisters familiar voices I have things around 70db and I am like, dang nothing here, play a few tracks hoping things get better, they really dont, after track five I get my butt up, pump things up around 90 db and I am suddenly diggin the tunes, especially the covers from EJ and Zepplin on disc 1.

I would never play say Beethoven's Concerto for Violins at anywhere near this level, its usually somewhere around 50-60 db. Jazz and Blues say 60-70. Whatever level I can get all of the dynamics at, I want a whisper to be a whisper. Like Krall is there.

Late night, cool room, warm drink, lights down, lightshow glowing, yea baby..........

RT1

I thought the forum had come to the consensus that volume controls were unnecessary. Now you claim you HAD to adjust the volume for the CD to sound correct. I'm so confused :confused:

[reeltrouble1]

I live in a land far away, rules, laws, modes, norms and such have no bearing in my little universe!! Its a very narcissitic place where everything revolves around me and I am free to touch any knobs within reach.

When staying within Genre though I will tend to set it and forget it. Although I admit to sometimes turning AK up to hear her lips part.

RT1

[ND13]

I am free to touch any knobs within reach.
RT1


Hmmmmm............so that's what goes on in that woodshed :D

[shack]

I live in a land far away, rules, laws, modes, norms and such have no bearing in my little universe!! Its a very narcissitic place where everything revolves around me and I am free to touch any knobs within reach.
Rebel.....

[steveinaz]

Music sounds better to me late at night. I don't know why, maybe everything is more quiet? In this small desert town I live in, after 10pm, it's dead quiet outside; with the exception of the occasional Border Patrol helicopter...LOL

[dorokusai]

A RS Digital meter is all you'll need for random applications like being drunk or bored. If you buy an analog meter, you should re-evaluate why you even bought one in the first place. Step into the 21st century.

[nadams]

i thought the analogs were better for showing quick peaks of the music, as the digital is a bit "delayed". At least, that's how it used to be. Perhaps they've gotten better...

[dorokusai]

No drawbacks to digital.

[danger boy]

DB,

Depends on the music. I finally bought that Heart disc you like so much, yea its been out for years. So I pop it in the player, hear the Wilson sisters familiar voices I have things around 70db and I am like, dang nothing here, play a few tracks hoping things get better, they really dont, after track five I get my butt up, pump things up around 90 db and I am suddenly diggin the tunes, especially the covers from EJ and Zepplin on disc 1. RT1

don't ever doubt me again Ted! :p

[danger boy]

i like the digital one from RS too.

[reeltrouble1]

DB,

OK I wont!!!

The digital seems to be ok with a really good coax wideband cable. ;)

The analog I see noticeable differences with MIT. :p

We could argue about how black a black hole is round this joint. :confused:

[cfrizz]

^waaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!! :d

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

You know... In my room... I have the ability to get INCREDIBLY loud...

But for some odd reason, during the day I could be taxing around -12 on the preamp... but during the later times (night) -12db is incredibly loud, where as -24 is about perfect. I honestly think things sound better at night.

But I probally listen very loud, but I actually dont listen to my system that much... ;) - just every now and againa nd is usually at higher levels.

For Movies... I can get up to as high as -6db...depending on the movie.

[Danny Tse]

My prefer time to listen to my system is late evenings, which generally means low volume. From some reason, it just sound better to me that way. Of course, when I am in the mood for something along the lines of Van Halen, I can't help but crank the amp to "11" :D Some people say that the power from the wall is generally cleaner, which can lead to better sound quality for your system.

[danger boy]

bumping an old thread... because I'm tired of some of the threads in here lately..... and well because you all like me, that's why! :rolleyes: :p

[vonnie123]

SPL 75-90db using the analog cables is my preference. A little Elton John Peachtree Road on SACD can make the world light up. I also have better listening days than others, and I think that factors in to how you perceive the sound on any given listening session.

[fatchowmein]

Okay, I'll play.

I don't own a spl meter but that's alright. I generally crank my system at night around -40 sitting on my recliner with the lights dimmed listening to jazz, classical (no symphonies), or female vocalists.

[Face]

Average 70-75db, sometimes I crank it up to 85.

[reeltrouble1]

There is no substitute for suction...........

gnaw on it.........

RT1

[Ron Temple]

75 to the low 90s depending on my mood and the music. When I want to show off or I get that concert feeling I might break 100 (usually under the influence).

[steveinaz]

Late night low-level listening always sounds spectacular to me--maybe because of the lack of background noise? I dunno...

[scottnbnj]

there are an awful lot of reasons that night is better for me, but most boil down to that it's usually easier for me to relax the muscles that make those little lines on my forehead.

)

[organ]

Very interesting thread. I also get the same feeling with my system once in a while when everything just clicks and there's nothing better. I also love late night listening when everkything is quieter. Sound quality and soundstage is greatly improved.

I need to get an spl meter. I have no idea at what spl level I'm listening to my music.
My listening habit have changed quite a bit. I used to like it loud all the time. Now I'm really enjoying the dynamics good recordings have to offer.
I like to keep the average volume of the music in a "comfortable" level letting the dynamic swings in music do its thing. Sudden bursts and climaxes can get very loud. Anticipating these loud parts is quite exciting. I look at the average level as the "base" of the music and the louder passages is what makes the music jump out. I find that I can enjoy music at this type of volume all day and night.
I enjoyed reading the other responses. Lets keep this cool thread going.

[steveinaz]

My late night listening is extremely low and very enjoyable for the reasons you mentioned. During the day though, I like to set the volume at a level that would be equal to a "live" voice in my livingroom; which by Stevie's "seat-of-the-pants measurement" would probably be on the order of 88-95dB SPL??

[organ]

yeah, the volume level is much higher for me during the day as well. Funny, I also try to set the volume to a level where the vocals sound "live". I think another reason why music sounds better at night is because our bodies are more relaxed. Nothing beats those "half asleep" dreamy listening sessions lol:D

[bugner]

I have heard it said that the electrical current is somehow "better" or "purer" at night. Have no clue if it's true............;)



Music sounds better to me late at night. I don't know why, maybe everything is more quiet? In this small desert town I live in, after 10pm, it's dead quiet outside; with the exception of the occasional Border Patrol helicopter...LOL

[steveinaz]

Me too, something about less "grid" use means less noise--Where's Wes the electric guy? He could shed some light on this--

[Lowell_M]

Listening around 90db in the morning seems to be my sweet spot. I normally listen between 80 and 90db, but everything seems to sound more detailed and clear in the morning.

[organ]

I have heard it said that the electrical current is somehow "better" or "purer" at night. Have no clue if it's true............;)


I think there's some truth to that. My power bar displays the voltage level and the amount of power the system is using. During the day, voltage is lower. Sometimes the voltage may be the same as night time, but power (in watts) is lower. So one or the other is lower during the day for me. But everything gets much better late at night. I have to bias my tube amps lower if it's to be done during the day and re-bias again at night when voltage and current is at its peak.

[Face]

Seasons can also affect the amount of available electricity.

Winter and Summer are the lowest, Spring and Fall are the highest.

As for times of the day, 5-6pm is the worst, it can drop to 115 without any major appliances on here. I can see as high as 128 late at night.

[organ]

Face,
Same here. But I do remember times when I got some high readings during the summer and winter. Gonna have to pay close attention now. I'd say mine are at their worst around 5-10pm. The highest I've seen mine was around 124-125V.