How Loud Do You Listen To YOUR Music?



On a typical day i listen in the 80-92 db range. On weekends the volume increases to 93-104 db

With music in the background, SL's are typically in the 55-60 db range.

Sitting listening to "good stuff", 75-85 db.

When I want to really crank something, 95-100 db.

Listening to, for instance, a symphony on Blu-ray, SL's can vary from upper 60's to close to 100 db.

Average is probably around 75 db.

GEt's sound great at all the above!

Rick

Which scale are you using? What weighting? My Radio Shack type meter is A weighted, if I use it, are we comparing apples to apples? I read a while back that the Moderator Dude prefers 'C' weighting I think it was. So was wondering if you guys went with his suggestion?

Thanks, God Bless, Wayne

Although not as accurate as the Radio Shack Sound Level Meter with Analog Display I use an Radio Shack with Digital Display C-Weighted, it seems to do a better job than most Smartphone apps. Is there a Smartphone app that has decent accuracy?

I'm sure this is more than you wanted to hear, but I've been fighting this battle for a while. I lost.

When I listen to orchestral, which is most of the time, the loudest passages run around 85 dB, as read on my inexpensive Triplett C-weighted meter. I double checked by taking the same meter to a concert and measured the loudest passages. Guess what? Around 85 dB. I did go to one concert with a full choir with orchestra, and the loudest had to be way above that (my ears were bleeding), but I didn't have my meter at the time. And I know I get much higher instantaneous readings with rock music.

That said, I have zero faith in the accuracy of any of these inexpensive meters. I bought another that was supposed to be calibrated, and it read insanely high for background noise on C; then, when I switched it to A, it matched my other C meter!

I have also tried different smartphone apps, and they seem reasonable based on the noise background readings, but I think the smartphone microphone response drops off pretty hard below 50 Hz. At least my Motorola Turbo Droid does. Also, none of these are calibrated to my phone's mic.

Note that most cheap meters are only specified to go down to 30 Hz, but they don't say what that specification is. You can bet they are rolling off hard at frequencies well above that. Also, they run an averaging algorithm in there, so it's just about impossible to get a true instantaneous level reading.

I've had pretty good luck using the Spectroid app on my phone to look at the spectral content and frequency sweeps, but it isn't calibrated to my phone mic, so it's only good for relative evaluation. The noise floor spectrum does give me some insight as to my microphone/phone frequency response.

I think you have to shell out many hundreds of dollars to get something that is really accurate and calibrated. Or use a calibrated mic with some kind of PC software.

Charlie

Thanks Bro Anthem to set us straight. I only have a A weighted SPL meter, so my readings will not be meaningful for comparison purposes.
Thanks Bro Charlie to give us more useful info as well. I use my meter for setup purposes and feel like it does all I ask of it.
There are a LOT of variables and foibles to be encountered in comparisons like this for sure.
I will hazard a guess that most of us listen at something like the same volume, more or less. A lot depends on the mood, but for me, mostly it depends on who else is around. IOW, when she who must be obeyed is outta the house, the volume definitely gets cranked.
When the girls go to bed, I can crank it some, doors are closed, different rooms and floors. But not so much as when they are out and about.
YMMV and probably does.
Enjoy the music at whatever level, but don't ruin yer hearing.
God Bless,
Wayne