why does this happen?

[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.