Hey, Wayne

I don't think 100 db is a typical SL at any live performance. (Certainly full orchestra SL's can be in the 90+ db range. I've read that musicians in full orchestra's can be exposed to peaks above 100 db, with 90 db averages common.)

But sometimes a not so good band tries to make up for their lack of SQ with continuous VOLUME! We went to a Brooks and Dunn concert in NH several years ago and the opening act, maybe a local group, I forget, played TOO LOUD, ear ringing loud. I'm guessing 100 db range. We walked out, came back when Brooks and Dunn took the stage. I have no idea what the db level is at heavy metal type concerts....

Happy listening!

Rick

Bro Rick, I agree, I found this chart useful, though I think it is overestimating things trying to make a hearing safety point:
www.hearnet.com/at_risk/risk_trivia.shtml
Hope this helps, God bless,
Wayne

Wayne,

Interesting data... I am not surprised to find out that an orchestral crescendo can reach 120+ db, considering that there can be close to 100 instruments playing and many of them are capable of making very loud sounds (multiple horns, percussion, etc.). Such loudness levels are tolerable in a large concert hall and represent a certain "loudness level to the ear" when you sit in such a hall.

However, playing music in a small space at that level would obviously be deafening. So, the question then becomes: What is the equivalent loudness level within a given much smaller space? Perhaps there is data on the web to answer such a question. In any event, in my opinion, the objective is to enjoy the listening experience, not to push the sound level to the level of pain.

I currently have my Onkyo volume control set to -15 db. Then, I am using my DAC level control to actually control the volume at which I am listening. I find that there is a significant difference in preferred DAC volume control settings, depending upon the music and recording source. For example, I turn the control to higher settings when I am listening to choral music, as compared to listening to orchestral music. When listening to jazz or other small ensembles, I find that, frequently, the recordings are more closely miked and are therefore louder - down goes the DAC volume control for those recordings.

Having the DAC volume control at my fingertips is one of the advantages I am enjoying as a result of having my entire music collection stored on a hard drive and being played through my laptop.

Happy listening..

Art

Here is a post on "Currently Playing" from wweiss posted a few weeks ago.

I've done sound measurements for bands and I've played drums for 49 years:

Chamber Music small auditorium: 75-85dB

Full Symphony Orchestra: Low 90's with a peak at 98dB (Highest recoded levels from the web-120-137dB These levels are not common.

My daughter plays flute and I've measured 111dB that's louder than my drums which max out at 106dB-Bass drum/Timpani

Trumpet and Violins 95dB

In Europe they passed a law that max sound pressure for orchestras will be 85-87dB -Musicians are getting deaf!

Every audiophile should be very familiar with live instruments and amplified voices before they judge equipment.

Anthem I too have a pair of Triton 2's and they can get incredibly loud without distorting. Remember sound over 103dB causes Permanent Hearing Loss-Ouch! I wish I knew that when I saw Zeppelin-Physical Graffiti in 1975

Bottom line we have to protect our Golden Ears!
wweiss
wweiss's Avatar

I believe I am fortunate that I have never liked rock music in any form, so I have never been to a rock concert. Perhaps my 75-year-old ears will last a bit longer so I can continue to enjoy music via my GE speakers.

Art

Good morning, all. Keep in mind the relationship between distance and sound here. Yes, an orchestra is probably quite loud on the stage and from the conductor's position, but way out in the audience, the dB levels are much lower. The generic rule is that you lower the decibel level by -6 dB every time you double the distance.

I don't think you need to crank the volume to 100 dB to experience a realistic performance in your own home. I would bet that if one were to measure the sound levels at their seat during a symphony performance, the decibel levels would likely peak in the 90s for short periods. Now, rock music being amplified and pumped through numerous speakers throughout an arena is an entirely different story. I've never been one for live concerts as I dislike the large crowds and extremely loud music. If you're ears are "ringing" after listening to music, it was way too loud.

Cheers,

T Cobe