SPL question?

[ClaudeJ1]

Now that I have gone large format horns and drivers the last few years, and now witht the Audyssey PEQ for room acoustics (including dynamic loudness control), I find myself satisfied with listening to levels between 70-80 db, instead of 80-90 db. Osha says 85 or below is safe (they used to say 90).

So how many of you own a Radio Shack Sound Level Meter and use it? If so, what's your average listening level?

[IB Slammin]

I must be getting old[N]........low 100db peaks.... Wife is SPL crazy and requires much more.[}]

I think that the Osha numbers are for extended time

tc

[artto]

Now that I have gone large format horns and drivers the last few years, and now witht the Audyssey PEQ for room acoustics (including dynamic loudness control), I find myself satisfied with listening to levels between 70-80 db, instead of 80-90 db. Osha says 85 or below is safe (they used to say 90).

So how many of you own a Radio Shack Sound Level Meter and use it? If so, what's your average listening level?

I've had one for a couple decades. Obviously the SPL is dependent on the music played. In general I'd say I listen at about 60-85dB. Peaks are louder, sometimes up to 100-110dB.

Your comments about being satisfied at lower listening levels with the Audyssey PEQ are interesting. As I've improved my room's acoustics over the years I've noticed the same thing. I don't feel compelled to play it as loud, and in fact, I really enjoy hearing the lower level subtle sounds that otherwise often get masked. I can't imagine listening at the SPL some Forum members say they do, and I've logged a lot mileage playing in bands over the years. While live music can certainly be loud, there's usually a lot of dynamics involved, the peaks may be high but the average level isn't. The last concert I recorded (Chorale & small orchestra) the SPL reached about 105-107dB at the first row where I was sitting. If the playback room isn't acoustically correct the music doesn't sound right at those levels. It can get harsh and compressed sounding.

[Arky]

95

[JJkizak]

My kind of averages 98 SPL but bounces up and down. Measuements include all speakers online.

JJK

[Cut-Throat]

That is my experience as well. I have had an Extech SPL meter for about 4 years now. My listening averages in the same 70-80 db range as yours. I hit peaks of 85 db once in awhile in my listening position.

I am keenly aware of protecting my most valueable and irreplaceable piece of my audio gear - My Ears !

I also focus on reducing all backround noise as well. No fans, traffic, motors - keep the backround quiet and you need less volume.

[Dennie]

Good question Claude, I too run Large horns. Just not as large as yours. [] I found with my La Scala's they seem to easily fill the room with sound. I picked up a Audio Control C-101 III, with a built in RTA, microphone and full octave Eq. and it showed me which frequencies were bouncing around the room. Once I tamed them with the Eq., I was able to listen to music much quieter with more detail. Now, if I hit the "Bypass" button, it gets so loud and almost offending. I loose detail and pick up more "noise" and it is not nearly as pleasing to my ears.

I have owned a Radio Shack SPL meter for a number of years and often check to see how loud I am listening. My normal listening level is between 70 and 85dba. Sure, every now and then I get a little crazy and hit the 95-105dba range, but it is only for a few minutes.

Dennie

[thebes]

What! What?

Speak up man, I can't hear you.

Got me one of them thar hippie meters. I like rolling up one of cousin Eddie's bodacious blunts and watching the little pointer go back and forth. I usually start out the evening around 70 of those db's people are always talking about and go upwards from there till about 85/90. Of course, when cousin Hesus el Diablo stops buy with one of his patented Tijuana boilermakers, I usually fine myself leaning really far forward and listening at about 35 bd. That is until I lean forward too much, fall out of my chair, and lay there taking a nice nap.

Sometimes I wake up with a major crick in my neck and the battery of the meter's run down.

[neo33]

According to research from the CDC, long term exposure to sound level 85dB and above can result in hearing loss. As a rule of thumb, no more than 8 hours of exposure time to 85dB and for every 3 dBs over 85dB, the permissible exposure time before possible
damage can occur is cut in half.

[Matthews]

[8o|] I sure would like to know what SPL reading I had the other day. Fried a driver in my beatiful RF-7's. I know exactly when it happened. 1st thought, "well that can't be good"!!! Thank goodness for warranties and a very helpful local D&M Sound. New driver already on its way (no questions). Gotta love dem' Klipsch.

[^o)]in-line fuses[^o)]

[Cornman]

+ Thebes you are the mistro, I love you man... SPL's you get right to the heart of some listeners expression.

As others said I also find the need for less volume ,,as I get my system more & more dialed in. I mostly run in the 75 to 85 range I also notice I have less need for my meter the more experiened my ears become. Now My ears know the difference between 70 spl & 80... The tool has been an inexpensive aid in understanding the mystery's of audio reproduction.

Cornman

[ClaudeJ1]

+ Thebes you are the mistro, I love you man... SPL's you get right to the heart of some listeners expression.

As others said I also find the need for less volume ,,as I get my system more & more dialed in. I mostly run in the 75 to 85 range I also notice I have less need for my meter the more experiened my ears become. Now My ears know the difference between 70 spl & 80... The tool has been an inexpensive aid in understanding the mystery's of audio reproduction.

Cornman

It's nice to see that others are not the decibel freak I used to be when I got my Khorns at 23 years old (had a speaker payment!). But now that I'm into higher quality music and recordings, I feel that the all-horn setup I have gives me way more detail, dynamics, and lower distortion than my 2 Khorns and mono LaScala ever did. Not that it was bad, mind you. I had those for 30 years. But I went the next step, which still follow all of PWK's principles of good sound, but with even greater efficiency with ridiculously low distortion.