pHEnomIC69 Posted January 1, 2006 Share Posted January 1, 2006 I was just wondering, can anyone explain why in human nature we like music loud? I like to listen to music at the highest level that doesnt cause me discomfort the most. I use some sense though and don't listen to music all the time very loud, but why are we like this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunburnwilly Posted January 1, 2006 Share Posted January 1, 2006 It's a Visceral thing , for me anyways . Right now I've got the Motley Crue New Years Eve Concert on INHD Cranked !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicholtl Posted January 1, 2006 Share Posted January 1, 2006 Like other vices, it literally drowns out the world and lets you escape into the one and only beautifully torturous thing bombarding you in that moment in time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunburnwilly Posted January 1, 2006 Share Posted January 1, 2006 Like other vices, it literally drowns out the world and lets you escape into the one and only beautifully torturous thing bombarding you in that moment in time.Wow , and I thought it was the way it gets my blood and endorphins going . " I never knew " [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Songer Posted January 1, 2006 Share Posted January 1, 2006 I was just wondering, can anyone explain why in human nature we like music loud? I like to listen to music at the highest level that doesnt cause me discomfort the most. I use some sense though and don't listen to music all the time very loud, but why are we like this? What do you mean "we," white man? (apologies to Oscar Brown, Jr.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay481985 Posted January 1, 2006 Share Posted January 1, 2006 It may be primordial instinct where the animal with the louder roar usually intimidates the lesser animal. Also the rythm can be heard better, louder usually means more bass where you start to feel the music. Maybe we try to blur hearing and feeling to get a better sensory perception. Sort of like smelling the food before tasting it increases flavor (i.e. smelling wine then drinking it) Also to get bass you usally have to have in the pre speaker age something to beat on something. A Big drum, a gong, a big bell, a large hallow log to get bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daddy Dee Posted January 1, 2006 Share Posted January 1, 2006 I was just wondering, can anyone explain why in human nature we like music loud? I like to listen to music at the highest level that doesnt cause me discomfort the most. I use some sense though and don't listen to music all the time very loud, but why are we like this? What do you mean "we," white man? (apologies to Oscar Brown, Jr.) Allan, you are a funny man. On the question, it's an important one, IMO. Don't yet know what I think about the answer, but the question is genuinely important. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulio Posted January 1, 2006 Share Posted January 1, 2006 Like other vices, it literally drowns out the world and lets you escape into the one and only beautifully torturous thing bombarding you in that moment in time.i'll second that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJkizak Posted January 1, 2006 Share Posted January 1, 2006 We like it loud because it starts out loud where it is played (live) by a band or recorded. Every process after the band has played the music makes it less loud than the original live playing of the music. You cannot reproduce sound levels created by a 3 foot diameter drum, or a 15 ft piano with 15" cones or 1" diaphrams. A 20" diameter cymbol raidiates 20" -+ throughout a room whereas you would need 40-- 1" tweeters spaced in a circle of 20" back to back to recreate the radiated sound area of the cymbol. Not a matter of power output but radiated area to fill the room. This is my idea of where the next breakthroughs will be in sound reproduction. JJK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duke Spinner Posted January 1, 2006 Share Posted January 1, 2006 +1 on what JJ said .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Posted January 1, 2006 Share Posted January 1, 2006 I was just wondering, can anyone explain why in human nature we like music loud? I like to listen to music at the highest level that doesnt cause me discomfort the most. I use some sense though and don't listen to music all the time very loud, but why are we like this? What do you mean "we," white man? (apologies to Oscar Brown, Jr.) I been lookin' for the member "white man",could'nt find em'.I even looked under honky(did I spell that right) and cracker? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockbobmel Posted January 1, 2006 Share Posted January 1, 2006 Because it drowns out the ringing in my ears! (Tinnitus) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IB Slammin Posted January 1, 2006 Share Posted January 1, 2006 I was just wondering, can anyone explain why in human nature we like music loud? I like to listen to music at the highest level that doesnt cause me discomfort the most. I use some sense though and don't listen to music all the time very loud, but why are we like this? What do you mean "we," white man? (apologies to Oscar Brown, Jr.) I been lookin' for the member "white man",could'nt find em'.I even looked under honky(did I spell that right) and cracker? Try......."Pecker-Wood".....[][] Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hwatkins Posted January 1, 2006 Share Posted January 1, 2006 Because it drowns out the ringing in my ears! (Tinnitus) My first LOL of the new year..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deang Posted January 1, 2006 Share Posted January 1, 2006 What JJ said. Also, what I just posted in another thread: "When a system excels at low level and ambient retrieval (microdynamics and 'air'), is able to push the soundstage well out into the room (bloom), and can layer and separate the information in the recording -- the volume control goes down. IOW's, the more realistic the music sounds, the less the need to use high SPL's as a way to compensate for what's missing. Since there is so much there, the room loads up faster and the soundfield is immersive in nature instead of coming at you like a wave." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myhamish Posted January 1, 2006 Share Posted January 1, 2006 good question - I've often wondered about this, so here goes with my opinion - it's all about control. In our lives, we have so little control over the influences in our lives. By stocking our homes with quality audio gear and cranking it up, we can control our environment. In addition, as nicely mentioned in the other posts, it drowns out extraneous noises and influences allowing us to focus on what is at hand (cocooning?). Now here's my opinion about the upgrading bug and fatigue factor while we're in the same court. It's common to hear that one gets tired of a certain audio system or setup and seeks something better - sometimes at any cost. In my opinion, this goes back to the primal need in humankind to 'feather the nest' and strive to find something better. When you stand back and look at it all, we're always looking toward the uplift in our lives. So the fatigue factor, whether it's an artist, sound system, house or job is symptomatic of that built in drive that pushes us from the cradle to the great beyond. Happy New Year all! And don't forget the dark headed stranger with the lump of coal running around the outside of your house in bare feet. Slainte Mhath. Hamish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ygmn Posted January 1, 2006 Share Posted January 1, 2006 Sounds better loud versus quiet..... now loud is subjective....hehehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pHEnomIC69 Posted January 1, 2006 Author Share Posted January 1, 2006 Thanks for the input guys, all very interesting and all of it seems to be true. I forgot to stress though, quality/fidelity is very important to me and if the audio system can't remain crisp and clear at high volumes, then I most likely will turn it down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Matthews Posted January 1, 2006 Share Posted January 1, 2006 What JJ said. Also, what I just posted in another thread: "When a system excels at low level and ambient retrieval (microdynamics and 'air'), is able to push the soundstage well out into the room (bloom), and can layer and separate the information in the recording -- the volume control goes down. IOW's, the more realistic the music sounds, the less the need to use high SPL's as a way to compensate for what's missing. Since there is so much there, the room loads up faster and the soundfield is immersive in nature instead of coming at you like a wave." I seemed to notice what Dean describes when going from Corns to KHorns. It did seem like the sound stage moved out away from the speakers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBK Posted January 1, 2006 Share Posted January 1, 2006 What JJ said. Also, what I just posted in another thread: "When a system excels at low level and ambient retrieval (microdynamics and 'air'), is able to push the soundstage well out into the room (bloom), and can layer and separate the information in the recording -- the volume control goes down. IOW's, the more realistic the music sounds, the less the need to use high SPL's as a way to compensate for what's missing. Since there is so much there, the room loads up faster and the soundfield is immersive in nature instead of coming at you like a wave." In addition to what DeanG said - one word - EMOTION - it moves us. But too loud is just NOT fun. I find very little LIVE music these days actually sounding good - poor room acoustice - PA too loud in an effort to load the room, etc. Fortunatley some small clubs and most Jazz clubs still hav e a sane approach to sound Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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