Listener Fatigue, what causes this?

zx_toth

Hello,

Wondering what are the variables that cause 'listener fatigue'. I have watched a couple of Sci-Fi movies, Predator and Predator 2 at admittedly loud volumes and noticed that my ears were getting 'tired', its the only way I can describe the feeling I had. I have never experienced this before, though I have never pushed my speakers this much ... I vaguely recall reading that it is less the volume that causes this than other sound qualities. I mean in the theater the volume is louder than at home however I do not get this fatigue.

Thanks.

Zsolt

mulveling

One possible cause for listener fatigue is severe peaks/dips in the frequency response. A theater is relatively a very large space (and most of the wall are covered in soft cloth), so peaks & dips caused by reflections and room modes will be largely mitigated. In a home theater environment this is much more difficult to control.

You could look into acoustic treatments and careful location of speakers & listening position as a potential remedy. Additionally, speakers that have a spike in the upper mids/lower treble can often be perceived as fatiguing.

ben62670

Old, and or bright tweeters will also cause fatigue.

Midnite Mick

I think this is quite common in the modern digital world. To me it is caused by the unnatural edgy quality that digital can yield, primarily in the upper frequencies.

Thanks,
Mike

zx_toth

Thanks for the input. I certainly put the volume down after this started to happen. We will be moving in 6-7 weeks time at which time I will be relocating my home theater from a room thats 14x16 to 15x21 so I hope to have less problems with the reflective properties of the sound in the more restrictive space. I will look into some possible acoustical treatments of the room as well.

Thanks.

Zsolt

Drumingman

Not getting enough sleep will wipe the smile from your kisser.
Now don't be a fussy face.

treitz3

I have no idea what the true definition of listener fatigue is, but along with what has been described here in this thread, I would also like to add that [to me] listener fatigue is when you have to "strain" or listen very hard to hear an instrument or passage when you shouldn't have to. I have experienced this with some of the systems that I have had over the years and it makes a listening session end early for me.

Drives me Knuckin' Futz!

2michaud

I have totally experienced this. Now in my case it's because I listen to heavy beat music (mostly electronic dance music) and the pounding in the back of your head get's to be a little tiresome.

skipf

I never have a problem with high volumn, I like it loud, but any distortion and my ears start cussin'. Don't know what your system is, but if there is any distortion present, this will magnify with increased volumns. As mentioned above by several, over brite tweeters will drive me insane after awhile. That's why I like ribbons and the LSI-9's.

polktiger

So is this the name for what happens after I watch a movie, turn everything off, switch to TV, and everything seems very quiet, low volume even though the TV is at normal listening level?

2michaud

I noticed that when I turn everything up real loud, and then after a while go back down to default volume, it sounds really quiet and not like it did 5 mins before.

cfrizz

Just wait 5 minutes & then turn it back on to play. Then it will sound normal again.

If it's been loud & then you go back to normal volume of course it's going to sound too soft.

Monster Jam

Zero wrote: »

Usually however, listener fatigue occurs when your ears are subjected to prolonged periods of loud or harsh noises. It doesn't matter how "natural" the source of the sound may be; it can still cause fatigue and possibly even hearing loss. If you are reaching that point while watching a movie, practice common sense and turn the volume down a bit.

Agree with Zero.

To say it more abruptly: its just too damn loud. :eek: