Sound level for playing music

[tcrossma]

Music played at lower levels sounds good on my system, but it's only when I get it up to 75-80db that it starts to sound "real". And by real I mean I can close my eyes and imagine myself in the front row of the performance.

Is it normal that it has to be so loud for that to happen or just a function of my mediocre system? And as I say, it sounds good at lower levels and all, just doesn't give that "i'm there" sensation.

Thoughts?

[auto_pilot]

I find this to be more true of movies than music with my system. I have to crank my movies higher than -45 dbs for things to sound good.

I'd be curious to know why as well...

[reeltrouble1]

I listen between 65 and 105 db depending on the genre and of course what mood I am in at the moment, I have a number of different systems and listen at different spl, my Manley system is excellent at low level, nothing quite like a EL34 tube amp. My Carver Amazing rig can do very high SPL and sounds well, Amazing, the clarity of the strings and resonance of the bass just does it for me everytime I use the BAT 6h30 super tube. With my SDA speakers, for me they shine when you put some high quality power on them and let them rip a bit, I use some 12ax7 telfunken smooth plates in that pre.

RT1

[neomagus00]

i might be going out on a limb here, but for solid-state electronics at least, the higher the levels, the better detail you're going to get... as a random example, if a chip that has a resolution of 1 millivolt receives a signal of maximum amplitude 1 mV, it's going to output either 1 or 0, regardless of the detail in the input... you amplify that exact same input to 1 V and suddenly the receiving chip can differentiate a thousand levels... thus, greater detail...

anyone see what i'm saying?

[cfrizz]

Welcome Tcross! What does your system consist of?

[tcrossma]

Welcome Tcross! What does your system consist of?

I have a Yamaha RX-V2500 receiver, Polk T90e (Monitor 60) fronts, Monitor 30 surrounds, and CS2 center. Nothing fantastic I know, but it's a start :)

thanks,

tim

[wallstreet]

My system plays as loud as I ever want it without distortion. That's been my dream since listening to ratty car stereos in high school.

[RuSsMaN]

Tim, that's a GREAT setup - don't EVER apologize for it.

Most systems begin to 'come alive' at a certain level - not uncommon at all.

Cheers,
Russ

[tcrossma]

Tim, that's a GREAT setup - don't EVER apologize for it.

Most systems begin to 'come alive' at a certain level - not uncommon at all.

Cheers,
Russ

Thanks Russ, I appreciate that. One starts to feel their system is insignificant when comparing against all the amazing setups folks on this forum have :)

[AndyGwis]

yeah, nothing wrong with that setup. . . I've got the same one in my HT.

Still go there (even over my 2-channel system) when I really want to bump.

[Ern Dog]

I mostly enjoy listening to my rig at higher volumes. This way I can feel the music in my guts and that's what really fires me up. Sure I'll listen to it at low level, but mostly for background music or in the morning. In the morning I prefer something softer perhaps some classical, ambiance music or easy listening. Late at night I sometimes like to crank up my sub :D

[hearingimpared]

Welcome and 90 to 105 db for me.

[ben62670]

If the kids are home no more than 85 in spirts. When they are away anywhere from 95-120. DO NOT listen to anything above 105 for extended periods of time, or you will take some time to recoupe from ear abuse:eek:

[Polkitup2]

Yea, if you wreck you're first pair of ears you can always grow a second set. Loud and proud way to go Ben.

[NeilGabriel]

This question/comment has been posted before and I don't get the scaling. If I played my movies over about -20, I would rip off the plaster.....my music cd's can play at about -30 to -20 and be pretty damn loud...how does one get to 90? That's a +90??

[tcrossma]

This question/comment has been posted before and I don't get the scaling. If I played my movies over about -20, I would rip off the plaster.....my music cd's can play at about -30 to -20 and be pretty damn loud...how does one get to 90? That's a +90??

-20 is a setting on the receiver's volume, +90 is the reading on an SPL (sound presure level) meter.

tim

[NeilGabriel]

-20 is a setting on the receiver's volume, +90 is the reading on an SPL (sound presure level) meter.

tim

Thanks...thought that might be the case.....my SPL is the drips of blood from my ears. Quick digress, I was very impressed a few years ago when Peter Garrett of Midnight Oil stopped a concert to make sure a young person (4-5) in the audience had earplugs.