Sound level for playing music

tcrossma
tcrossma Posts: 1,301
edited June 2007 in Music & Movies
Music played at lower levels sounds good on my system, but it's only when I get it up to 75-80db that it starts to sound "real". And by real I mean I can close my eyes and imagine myself in the front row of the performance.

Is it normal that it has to be so loud for that to happen or just a function of my mediocre system? And as I say, it sounds good at lower levels and all, just doesn't give that "i'm there" sensation.

Thoughts?
Speakers: Polk LSi15
Pre: Adcom GFP-750 with HT Bypass
Amp: Pass Labs X-150
CD/DVD Player: Classe CDP-10
Interconnects: MIT Shortgun S3 Pro XLR
Speaker cables: MIT MH-750 bi-wire
TT:Micro Seiki DD-35
Cartridge:Denon DL-160
Phono Pre:PS Audio GCPH
Post edited by tcrossma on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • auto_pilot
    auto_pilot Posts: 256
    edited June 2007
    I find this to be more true of movies than music with my system. I have to crank my movies higher than -45 dbs for things to sound good.

    I'd be curious to know why as well...
    Cambridge Audio AZUR 640R
    KEF IQ2C Center, Fronts KEF IQ1 , Rears KEF Ci302Q
    Sub Outlaw LFM2
    Panasonic Plasma 1080i (50u)
    Sony DVP-NS70H (DVD)
    Belkin Pure Audio PF31 Line Conditioner
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited June 2007
    I listen between 65 and 105 db depending on the genre and of course what mood I am in at the moment, I have a number of different systems and listen at different spl, my Manley system is excellent at low level, nothing quite like a EL34 tube amp. My Carver Amazing rig can do very high SPL and sounds well, Amazing, the clarity of the strings and resonance of the bass just does it for me everytime I use the BAT 6h30 super tube. With my SDA speakers, for me they shine when you put some high quality power on them and let them rip a bit, I use some 12ax7 telfunken smooth plates in that pre.

    RT1
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • neomagus00
    neomagus00 Posts: 3,899
    edited June 2007
    i might be going out on a limb here, but for solid-state electronics at least, the higher the levels, the better detail you're going to get... as a random example, if a chip that has a resolution of 1 millivolt receives a signal of maximum amplitude 1 mV, it's going to output either 1 or 0, regardless of the detail in the input... you amplify that exact same input to 1 V and suddenly the receiving chip can differentiate a thousand levels... thus, greater detail...

    anyone see what i'm saying?
    It's not good, very fundamentally simply not good. - geolemon

    "Its not good enough until we have real-time fearmongering. I want my fear mongered as it happens." - Shizelbs
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited June 2007
    Welcome Tcross! What does your system consist of?
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tcrossma
    tcrossma Posts: 1,301
    edited June 2007
    cfrizz wrote: »
    Welcome Tcross! What does your system consist of?

    I have a Yamaha RX-V2500 receiver, Polk T90e (Monitor 60) fronts, Monitor 30 surrounds, and CS2 center. Nothing fantastic I know, but it's a start :)

    thanks,

    tim
    Speakers: Polk LSi15
    Pre: Adcom GFP-750 with HT Bypass
    Amp: Pass Labs X-150
    CD/DVD Player: Classe CDP-10
    Interconnects: MIT Shortgun S3 Pro XLR
    Speaker cables: MIT MH-750 bi-wire
    TT:Micro Seiki DD-35
    Cartridge:Denon DL-160
    Phono Pre:PS Audio GCPH
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wallstreet
    wallstreet Posts: 1,405
    edited June 2007
    My system plays as loud as I ever want it without distortion. That's been my dream since listening to ratty car stereos in high school.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited June 2007
    Tim, that's a GREAT setup - don't EVER apologize for it.

    Most systems begin to 'come alive' at a certain level - not uncommon at all.

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tcrossma
    tcrossma Posts: 1,301
    edited June 2007
    RuSsMaN wrote: »
    Tim, that's a GREAT setup - don't EVER apologize for it.

    Most systems begin to 'come alive' at a certain level - not uncommon at all.

    Cheers,
    Russ

    Thanks Russ, I appreciate that. One starts to feel their system is insignificant when comparing against all the amazing setups folks on this forum have :)
    Speakers: Polk LSi15
    Pre: Adcom GFP-750 with HT Bypass
    Amp: Pass Labs X-150
    CD/DVD Player: Classe CDP-10
    Interconnects: MIT Shortgun S3 Pro XLR
    Speaker cables: MIT MH-750 bi-wire
    TT:Micro Seiki DD-35
    Cartridge:Denon DL-160
    Phono Pre:PS Audio GCPH
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited June 2007
    yeah, nothing wrong with that setup. . . I've got the same one in my HT.

    Still go there (even over my 2-channel system) when I really want to bump.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited June 2007
    I mostly enjoy listening to my rig at higher volumes. This way I can feel the music in my guts and that's what really fires me up. Sure I'll listen to it at low level, but mostly for background music or in the morning. In the morning I prefer something softer perhaps some classical, ambiance music or easy listening. Late at night I sometimes like to crank up my sub :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited June 2007
    Welcome and 90 to 105 db for me.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited June 2007
    If the kids are home no more than 85 in spirts. When they are away anywhere from 95-120. DO NOT listen to anything above 105 for extended periods of time, or you will take some time to recoupe from ear abuse:eek:
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Polkitup2
    Polkitup2 Posts: 1,623
    edited June 2007
    Yea, if you wreck you're first pair of ears you can always grow a second set. Loud and proud way to go Ben.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NeilGabriel
    NeilGabriel Posts: 1,487
    edited June 2007
    This question/comment has been posted before and I don't get the scaling. If I played my movies over about -20, I would rip off the plaster.....my music cd's can play at about -30 to -20 and be pretty damn loud...how does one get to 90? That's a +90??
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • tcrossma
    tcrossma Posts: 1,301
    edited June 2007
    NeilGabriel wrote: »
    This question/comment has been posted before and I don't get the scaling. If I played my movies over about -20, I would rip off the plaster.....my music cd's can play at about -30 to -20 and be pretty damn loud...how does one get to 90? That's a +90??

    -20 is a setting on the receiver's volume, +90 is the reading on an SPL (sound presure level) meter.

    tim
    Speakers: Polk LSi15
    Pre: Adcom GFP-750 with HT Bypass
    Amp: Pass Labs X-150
    CD/DVD Player: Classe CDP-10
    Interconnects: MIT Shortgun S3 Pro XLR
    Speaker cables: MIT MH-750 bi-wire
    TT:Micro Seiki DD-35
    Cartridge:Denon DL-160
    Phono Pre:PS Audio GCPH
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • NeilGabriel
    NeilGabriel Posts: 1,487
    edited June 2007
    tcrossma wrote: »
    -20 is a setting on the receiver's volume, +90 is the reading on an SPL (sound presure level) meter.

    tim

    Thanks...thought that might be the case.....my SPL is the drips of blood from my ears. Quick digress, I was very impressed a few years ago when Peter Garrett of Midnight Oil stopped a concert to make sure a young person (4-5) in the audience had earplugs.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter