992Sam Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 I'm just curious... an informal poll, of whomever wants to respond. But generally, how loud do you listen to your music on your system? I find that depending on genre (as classical is very dynamic).. i hover around 70-80db and rarely higher, if playing rock music or certain modern jazz.. I also find I get the best SQ for my room size around 75db +/- 3db .. McIntosh MC462 Amplifier, McIntosh C1100 Pre-Amp, Accuphase DP-560 SACD player, dCS Rossini DAC, dCS Rossini Clock, McIntosh XR50 speakers, SolidSteel HF-2 rack and Speaker Stands, Gutwire 4-Bar power conditioner, Gutwire SV12 power cable (amp), Gutwire B10 power cables,, McIntosh XLR, Digital and Speaker Cable. Video of my system on Youtube Link to post Share on other sites
fas42 Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 Have never measured dB levels - but depending on the mood of the moment it can be anything from a background filler setting, to realistic, live volumes. With the latter, if a solo piano recording, it's at a piano is in the room setting; if intense, driving sound then it will be difficult to converse with someone in the room. Frank http://artofaudioconjuring.blogspot.com/ Over and out. . Link to post Share on other sites
cjf Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 When settling down to do dedicated listening session pretty much every night for a few hours I listen at around 95-105db at peaks. This is measured at the listening position via a pricey Reed DB meter that tops out at 140db in terms of its measurement capability. The system was tuned at this level and never really sounds stressed so I just roll with it. Yeah its louder than I probably should be listening at but its what I enjoy and will continue to do so until I'm deaf or dead 🙂 992Sam 1 My Audio System -Last Updated DEC 2020 Link to post Share on other sites
992Sam Posted November 6, 2020 Author Share Posted November 6, 2020 13 minutes ago, cjf said: When settling down to do dedicated listening session pretty much every night for a few hours I listen at around 95-105db at peaks. This is measured at the listening position via a pricey Reed DB meter that tops out at 140db in terms of its measurement capability. The system was tuned at this level and never really sounds stressed so I just roll with it. Yeah its louder than I probably should be listening at but its what I enjoy and will continue to do so until I'm deaf or dead 🙂 Wow, that is pretty darn loud... I don't know if I could sustain that volume more than a few minutes myself.. But then my room is also small, that makes loud music "feel" louder .. McIntosh MC462 Amplifier, McIntosh C1100 Pre-Amp, Accuphase DP-560 SACD player, dCS Rossini DAC, dCS Rossini Clock, McIntosh XR50 speakers, SolidSteel HF-2 rack and Speaker Stands, Gutwire 4-Bar power conditioner, Gutwire SV12 power cable (amp), Gutwire B10 power cables,, McIntosh XLR, Digital and Speaker Cable. Video of my system on Youtube Link to post Share on other sites
cjf Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 8 minutes ago, 992Sam said: Wow, that is pretty darn loud... I don't know if I could sustain that volume more than a few minutes myself.. But then my room is also small, that makes loud music "feel" louder .. Its strange in that, even though numerically the level is considered fairly loud, it really doesn't seem that way at all. If I fell over a bag of money in the street I would love to add alot more power but.... I hear you about the room size thing. There are many benefits to a smaller room and the need for less HP and Cubic inches to fill it is a big one. Especially in this hobby where the cost of a few "good/quality" watts is at a premium and goes up like a shot for every additional quality watt from there. 992Sam 1 My Audio System -Last Updated DEC 2020 Link to post Share on other sites
992Sam Posted November 6, 2020 Author Share Posted November 6, 2020 4 minutes ago, cjf said: Its strange in that, even though numerically the level is considered fairly loud, it really doesn't seem that way at all. If I fell over a bag of money in the street I would love to add alot more power but.... I hear you about the room size thing. There are many benefits to a smaller room and the need for less HP and Cubic inches to fill it is a big one. Especially in this hobby where the cost of a few "good/quality" watts is at a premium and goes up like a shot for every additional quality watt from there. yep, the photos of your listening room are enough to make me jealous... Condo living in the SF Bay Area = very little bang for the buck... I hope to retire into a nice large home in a much cheaper state some day where I can build a listening room befitting my stuff... and then I can upgrade my speakers to something bigger too! cjf 1 McIntosh MC462 Amplifier, McIntosh C1100 Pre-Amp, Accuphase DP-560 SACD player, dCS Rossini DAC, dCS Rossini Clock, McIntosh XR50 speakers, SolidSteel HF-2 rack and Speaker Stands, Gutwire 4-Bar power conditioner, Gutwire SV12 power cable (amp), Gutwire B10 power cables,, McIntosh XLR, Digital and Speaker Cable. Video of my system on Youtube Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post firedog Posted November 6, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted November 6, 2020 About 75-80db. Sometimes 80-85. Depends on the music. With Classical music, which has big dynamic swings, I generally turn it up about 5-10db so that the quiet passages are reasonably loud,and the loud passages are realistic. Not ear splitting levels, though. 992Sam and DuckToller 2 Main listening (small home office): Main setup: Surge protector +_iFi AC iPurifiers >Isol-8 Mini sub Axis Power Conditioning+Isolation>QuietPC Low Noise Server>Roon (Audiolense DRC)>Stack Audio Link II>Kii Control>Kii Three >GIK Room Treatments. Secondary Listening: Server with Audiolense RC>RPi4 or analog>Matrix Element i Streamer/DAC (XLR)+Schiit Freya>Kii Three . Bedroom: SBTouch to Cambridge Soundworks Desktop Setup. Living Room/Kitchen: RPi 3B+ running RoPieee to a pair of Morel Hogtalare. All absolute statements about audio are false Link to post Share on other sites
daverich4 Posted November 8, 2020 Share Posted November 8, 2020 80-85db Link to post Share on other sites
MarkS Posted November 8, 2020 Share Posted November 8, 2020 90ish - Mark Synology DS916+ > SoTM dCBL-CAT7 > Netgear switch > SoTM dCBL-CAT7 > dCS Vivaldi Upsampler (Nordost Valhalla 2 power cord) > Nordost Valhalla 2 Dual 110 Ohm AES/EBU > dCS Vivaldi DAC (David Elrod Statement Gold power cord) > Nordost Valhalla 2 xlr > Absolare Passion preamp (Nordost Valhalla 2 power cord) > Nordost Valhalla 2 xlr > VTL MB-450 III (Shunyata King Cobra CX power cords) > Nordost Valhalla 2 speaker > Kaiser Kaewero Classic /JL Audio F110 (Wireworld Platinum power cord). Power Conditioning: Entreq Olympus Tellus grounding (AC, preamp and dac) / Shunyata Hydra Triton + Typhoon (Shunyata Anaconda ZiTron umbilical/Shunyata King Cobra CX power cord) > Furutec GTX D-Rhodium AC outlet. Link to post Share on other sites
992Sam Posted November 8, 2020 Author Share Posted November 8, 2020 Just now, MarkS said: 90ish wow, that's pretty loud for sustained .. Impressive if you're hearing is holding up! McIntosh MC462 Amplifier, McIntosh C1100 Pre-Amp, Accuphase DP-560 SACD player, dCS Rossini DAC, dCS Rossini Clock, McIntosh XR50 speakers, SolidSteel HF-2 rack and Speaker Stands, Gutwire 4-Bar power conditioner, Gutwire SV12 power cable (amp), Gutwire B10 power cables,, McIntosh XLR, Digital and Speaker Cable. Video of my system on Youtube Link to post Share on other sites
MarkS Posted November 8, 2020 Share Posted November 8, 2020 Will consider that. Maybe closer to 85 when it’s not a period of Stones/Led Zep. 992Sam 1 - Mark Synology DS916+ > SoTM dCBL-CAT7 > Netgear switch > SoTM dCBL-CAT7 > dCS Vivaldi Upsampler (Nordost Valhalla 2 power cord) > Nordost Valhalla 2 Dual 110 Ohm AES/EBU > dCS Vivaldi DAC (David Elrod Statement Gold power cord) > Nordost Valhalla 2 xlr > Absolare Passion preamp (Nordost Valhalla 2 power cord) > Nordost Valhalla 2 xlr > VTL MB-450 III (Shunyata King Cobra CX power cords) > Nordost Valhalla 2 speaker > Kaiser Kaewero Classic /JL Audio F110 (Wireworld Platinum power cord). Power Conditioning: Entreq Olympus Tellus grounding (AC, preamp and dac) / Shunyata Hydra Triton + Typhoon (Shunyata Anaconda ZiTron umbilical/Shunyata King Cobra CX power cord) > Furutec GTX D-Rhodium AC outlet. Link to post Share on other sites
tmkirst Posted November 22, 2020 Share Posted November 22, 2020 Mid 80's, usually not over 94-95. Actually listening at lower volume since I completed my room treatments. Link to post Share on other sites
kennyb123 Posted November 23, 2020 Share Posted November 23, 2020 I keep an eye on my volume levels using my Apple Watch. I was listening when I capture that below - and that represents pretty much the average with it occasionally reaching into the upper 80s. It will alert me if it's too loud for too long. I'm not sure it has ever alerted me to listening to loud. My parrot has occasionally set it off though when in close proximity. Digital: Innuos Zenith Mk3 > Shunyata Omega USB > Chord Hugo M-Scaler > Wireworld Gold Startlight > OPTO DX > Shunyata Alpha S/PDIF > Chord Hugo TT2 Amp & Speakers: Spectral DMA-150mk2 > Aerial 10T Foundation: Stillpoints Ultra, Shunyata Denali power conditioner, Shunyata Alpha power cords, Shunyata Alpha interconnect, Shunyata Sigma Ethernet, MIT Matrix HD60 speaker cables, ASC isothermal tube traps Link to post Share on other sites
nocrapman Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 Measured with an old but good radio shack meter - about 68-72 dBs. Link to post Share on other sites
mwheelerk Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 I live in a one story building but I share one wall with a neighbor. I use an app to check db and I try to keep it around 60db which I think is quite low, under the normal speech level of 65db but I've become quite use to it and it is sufficient enough for me to enjoy my music. It's hard though with really dynamic music to find the right level but so far nearing three years no complaint from the neighbors and I listen, like I imagine a lot of you, a lot of hours. "If you fly a flag of hate you are no kin to me" Ry Cooder Link to post Share on other sites
ASRMichael Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 Short listen 90-95, few songs! long listen 80-85b Link to post Share on other sites
jcbenten Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 When by myself...loud...probably too loud. When the dog is present...low level When the wife is present...off...she dislikes my music. ASRMichael 1 QNAP TS453Pro w/QLMS->Netgear Switch->Netgear R7800 Router->Ethernet (50 ft)->Netgear switch->SBT->iFi xDSD->Linn Majik-IL (preamp)->Linn 2250->Linn Keilidh; Control Points: Squeeze Commander (DroidX) & iPeng (iPad Air); Also: Rega P3-24 w/ DV 10x5; OPPO 103; PC Playback: Foobar2000 & JRiver; Portable: Sony NWZ_ZX1 & ZX2 w/ PHA-3; SMSL IQ, Fiio Q5, iFi Nano iDSD BL; Garage: Edifier S1000DB Active Speakers Wish List: New DAC, SBT replacement; Dream system: Linn EXACT or ATC Active or Big Tubes (KR or Nagra or Shindo or ...) My goal is to use appliances and take home PC out of the chain... Link to post Share on other sites
JoeWhip Posted November 25, 2020 Share Posted November 25, 2020 70’s to low 80’s. daverich4 1 Link to post Share on other sites
barrows Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 For serious listening to rock and jazz the louder sections are around 85 dB average levels, it is hard to get an accurate measure of peak levels. For really dynamic music the average level will usually be a bit lower, but the peaks may be a lot higher. This is with casual measurement via Studio Six app on the iPad. I am gonna get a measurement microphone very soon for getting more accurate and wider range measurements. Occasionally, I might listen at a bit higher level, but 90 dB average is dangerous for hearing if it last very long at all. ROON: DSD 256-Sonore opticalModule-Signature Rendu optical--Bricasti M3 DAC--DIY Purifi Amplifier-Focus Audio FS888-JL E 112 sub-Nordost Tyr USB, DIY AC, Iconoclast XLR & speaker cables, Synergistic Orange Fuses, Dark Matter system clarifiers. SONORE computer audio | opticalRendu | ultraRendu | microRendu | Signature Rendu SE | Accessories | Software | Link to post Share on other sites
Kimo Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 I measured my spouse at around 70 db, so you do the math. Link to post Share on other sites
992Sam Posted November 26, 2020 Author Share Posted November 26, 2020 4 minutes ago, Kimo said: I measured my spouse at around 70 db, so you do the math. 😂😂😂😂😂 McIntosh MC462 Amplifier, McIntosh C1100 Pre-Amp, Accuphase DP-560 SACD player, dCS Rossini DAC, dCS Rossini Clock, McIntosh XR50 speakers, SolidSteel HF-2 rack and Speaker Stands, Gutwire 4-Bar power conditioner, Gutwire SV12 power cable (amp), Gutwire B10 power cables,, McIntosh XLR, Digital and Speaker Cable. Video of my system on Youtube Link to post Share on other sites
nocrapman Posted November 26, 2020 Share Posted November 26, 2020 Thats some very loud listening levels if accurate. Wonder if this hobby takes a progressive toll on our hearing in addition to age related loss. Link to post Share on other sites
the_bat Posted December 14, 2020 Share Posted December 14, 2020 Are people using dbA or dbC weighting? It makes several db difference in my room with dbC reading several db higher as it takes more account of bass frequencies. Link to post Share on other sites
firedog Posted December 14, 2020 Share Posted December 14, 2020 12 minutes ago, the_bat said: Are people using dbA or dbC weighting? It makes several db difference in my room with dbC reading several db higher as it takes more account of bass frequencies. I'm using C b/c I want the bass included. Main listening (small home office): Main setup: Surge protector +_iFi AC iPurifiers >Isol-8 Mini sub Axis Power Conditioning+Isolation>QuietPC Low Noise Server>Roon (Audiolense DRC)>Stack Audio Link II>Kii Control>Kii Three >GIK Room Treatments. Secondary Listening: Server with Audiolense RC>RPi4 or analog>Matrix Element i Streamer/DAC (XLR)+Schiit Freya>Kii Three . Bedroom: SBTouch to Cambridge Soundworks Desktop Setup. Living Room/Kitchen: RPi 3B+ running RoPieee to a pair of Morel Hogtalare. All absolute statements about audio are false Link to post Share on other sites
the_bat Posted December 14, 2020 Share Posted December 14, 2020 1 hour ago, firedog said: I'm using C b/c I want the bass included. Thanks. I do too for the same reason. It might account for some of the differences in readings in the thread. Link to post Share on other sites
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