How loud is too loud?

Posts: 92
edited September 2011 in Speakers
So i got a new subwoofer which has inadvertently led me to playing my movies louder. I'm just worried that I'll damage my hearing. So how loud is too loud? I guess my problem is that i turn up the volume since i want louder bass since i dont play at reference levels, but if i turn up the bass too high, it drowns out the volume.

I've heard that untreated rooms give off the impression of being louder since they are not acoustically optimal, and that even though reference levels sound loud, it isn't really when the room is treated.

Thoughts?
Post edited by kazaam on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Welcome!

It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.
Sign In
Register

Comments

  • Posts: 5,703
    edited September 2011
    You need more midrange in your system and it would help to know what kinda gear you have

    As far as how loud is too loud I always think that when your ears ,eyes and nose starts bleeding it is probably time to turn it down
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Posts: 15,251
    edited September 2011
    If I can hear it then it is to loud.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Posts: 51,453
    edited September 2011
    So how loud is too loud?

    When blood pours out of your ears.....it's too loud.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Posts: 1,508
    edited September 2011
    I agree with the above, but to be serious, anything over 100Db for more than 30 mins is gonna cause some issues later, http://www.dangerousdecibels.org/education/information-center/decibel-exposure-time-guidelines/ , it changes with frequency but once it's done it's done. I wear my hearing loss like a badge of honor :biggrin:, I enjoyed every minute of it.
    Thorens TD125MKII, SME3009,Shure V15/ Teac V-8000S, Denon DN-790R cass, Teac 3340 RtR decks, Onix CD2...Sumo Electra Plus pre>SAE A1001 amp>Martin Logan Summit's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Posts: 1,320
    edited September 2011
    When the foundation and windows in your neighbor's home starts cracking.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Posts: 480
    edited September 2011
    When someone watching the movie is uncomfortable with the sound...its too loud. Turning it down just a bit may make the difference, and keep everyone happy.
    Home Theatre.............

    Pioneer SC-35
    Polk RTi10's Fronts
    Polk CSiA6 Center
    RTi4 Surrounds
    SVS PB-12 Sub


    2 Channel.............................

    Yaqin MC-100B
    Energy RC-70 Speakers
    Arcam CD-192 Disc Player
    Van Den Hul Interconnects
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Posts: 5,502
    edited September 2011
    A sustained 80-85 db at the listening position should be more than loud enough. Anything much above that is pushing into the range of long-term hearing degradation.
    VTL ST50 w/mods / RCA6L6GC / TlfnknECC801S
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 w/mods
    TT Conrad Johnson Sonographe SG3 Oak / Sumiko LMT / Grado Woodbody Platinum / Sumiko PIB2 / The Clamp
    Musical Fidelity A1 CDPro/ Bada DD-22 Tube CDP / Conrad Johnson SD-22 CDP
    Tuners w/mods Kenwood KT5020 / Fisher KM60
    MF x-DAC V8, HAInfo NG27
    Herbies Ti-9 / Vibrapods / MIT Shotgun AC1 IEC's / MIT Shotgun 2 IC's / MIT Shotgun 2 Speaker Cables
    PS Audio Cryo / PowerPort Premium Outlets / Exact Power EP15A Conditioner
    Walnut SDA 2B TL /Oak SDA SRS II TL (Sonicaps/Mills/Cardas/Custom SDA ICs / Dynamat Extreme / Larry's Rings/ FSB-2 Spikes
    NAD SS rigs w/mods
    GIK panels
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Posts: 18
    edited September 2011
    inspiredsports wrote: »
    A sustained 80-85 db at the listening position should be more than loud enough. Anything much above that is pushing into the range of long-term hearing degradation.

    ^^^This^^^

    I've been a "stereophile" for 35 years. Along with loud music (in home and at rock concerts), I also got into the shooting sports about 30 years ago. I also have a 580 watts RMS sound system in my car, and even the car itself is not quiet (a high modded Subaru Forester). I have a very wicked case of tinnitus for longer than I can remember and have probably lost about 50% of my hearing. I miss my hearing more than I miss the sanity I've lost along the way.

    Today, I find 80 to 85db (measured with an inexpensive Radio Shack db meter) to be more than adequate. Anything louder takes the joy out of the experience. Don't mess with your hearing and learn to enjoy music at reasonable sound pressure levels!
    Old-time Stereophile
    Denon PMA 2000IVR
    Denon DCD-815
    Music Fidelity V-DAC with Pyramid PS3KX Power Supply
    Music Fidelity V-Link
    Polk LSi9s sitting on VTI VSP Series 24 Stands
    SVS 20-39PC Plus
    Monster Studio Pro Speaker Cables
    Monster USB Cable
    Better Cables ICs
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Posts: 2,015
    edited September 2011
    inspiredsports wrote: »
    ...sustained 85 db* at the listening position... ...Anything much above that is pushing into the range of long-term hearing degradation.
    OSHA would agree. I think the grey area is how clean is your sound? I've seen the OSHA sound graphs showing that our ears are most sensitive @ 3500hz* Sustained 100dB+ below 300hz is far less damaging than 3500hz @ 90dB.

    to beefjerky: "When the foundation and windows in your neighbor's home starts cracking." LOLLOLLOL!!!
    Samsung 60" QN65Q7FAMFXZA QLED, Outlaw Audio 976 Pre/Pro, Samsung BDP, Amazon Firestick, Phillips CD Changer

    Canare 14 ga - LCR tweeters inside*; Ctr Ch outside
    BJC 10 ga - LCR mids “Foamed” & “Plugged**”, inside* & out
    8 ga Powerline: LR woofers, inside* & out
    *soldered **Rob the Man (Xschop)

    LR: Tri-amped RTi A7 w/Rotels*. Woofers - 980BX; Tweets & Mids - RB981*
    Ctr Ch: Rotel RB981* -> Bi-amped CSi A6
    Surrounds: Rotel 981* -> AR 12 ga -> RTi A3
    *all connected w/Premiere ICs
    5 Subs: Sunfire True SW Signature -> LFE & Ctr Ch; 4 Audio Pro Evidence @ the “Corners”

    Power Conditioning & Distribution:
    4 dedicated 20A feeds; APC H15; 5 Furman Miniport 20s
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Posts: 1,543
    edited September 2011
    BeefJerky wrote: »
    When the foundation and windows in your neighbor's home starts cracking.

    I was thinking when it start registering on seismometers, but that works too.
    Turntable: Empire 208
    Arm: Rega 300
    Cart: Shelter 501 III
    Phono Pre: dsachs consulting
    Digital: Marantz SACD 30n
    Pre: Conrad Johnson ET3 SE
    Amp: Conrad Johnson Premier 350
    Cables: Cardas Neutral Reference
    Speakers: SDA 2.3TL, heavily modified
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Posts: 3,919
    edited September 2011
    Could you speak up? I can't hear you....
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Posts: 695
    edited September 2011
    When my wife gives me the "Evil Eye", it's too loud.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Posts: 26,699
    edited September 2011
    what?
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Posts: 388
    edited September 2011
    kazaam wrote: »
    So i got a new subwoofer which has inadvertently led me to playing my movies louder. I'm just worried that I'll damage my hearing. So how loud is too loud? I guess my problem is that i turn up the volume since i want louder bass since i dont play at reference levels, but if i turn up the bass too high, it drowns out the volume.

    I've heard that untreated rooms give off the impression of being louder since they are not acoustically optimal, and that even though reference levels sound loud, it isn't really when the room is treated.

    Thoughts?

    Kazaam it sounds like you have your sub turned up a litlle high. Maybe turn it down it bit so it blends better with the rest of your setup. "how loud is too loud" i guess when it is too painful to listen to.:smile:
    Music doesn't lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.
    -Jimi Hendrix
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Posts: 16
    edited September 2011
    Prolonged exposure to 85dB or more leads to hearing loss. In audio, the official THX studio reference level is 85dB plus a 20dB headroom. This means the "target" SPL is ≤ 85dB. The remainder is for explosions, car chases, and loud passages in music tracks. Since the human brain cannot quantify volume, 85dB is impossible to set without proper equipment. To put things in perspective, try the clap test. Doing so may not shake furniture, but guess what? I can easily hit over 90dB.

    Radio Shack had a closeout recently. Some stores may still have SPL meters left. Do yourself a favor and get one.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Posts: 11,435
    edited September 2011
    I shoot for 160db I make people RUN!

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Posts: 388
    edited September 2011
    disneyjoe7 wrote: »
    i shoot for 160db i make people run!
    nice!!
    Music doesn't lie. If there is something to be changed in this world, then it can only happen through music.
    -Jimi Hendrix
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Welcome!

It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.
Sign In
Register

Welcome!

It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.
Sign In
Register

Quick Links