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How loud do you listen?

post #1 of 20
2/21/10 at 12:20am
Thread Starter 
I am at 16 in w7 volume adjuster, and 10 in wmp. Out of a700's.
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post #2 of 20
2/21/10 at 12:22am
You need a SPL meter...
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post #3 of 20
2/21/10 at 12:35am
It really depends on your amp's power, and the sensitivity/resistance of your headphones.
but generally with my k601s and minimax the volume knob is between 9 and 10 o clock.
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post #4 of 20
2/21/10 at 3:11am
Generally, I'm turning down. If I'm really listening, it's way too loud. Save it for the moments. And the spaces between.
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post #5 of 20
2/21/10 at 3:17am
I just crank it to 11.
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post #6 of 20
2/21/10 at 3:32am
Unless someone has the same hardware and same headphones you can't compare volume knob settings for comparable loudness. Change hardware and/or headphones and the same volume knob setting will be something different.

The only way to compare volume settings is to use a sound pressure meter. With full size headphones you can use a SPL meter like the Radio Shack meter. Cut a piece of wood or thick cardboard big enough to seal the headphone earcup. Cut a hole in the middle just big enough to fit the SPL meter microphone in. Play your music and measure the SPL.

Earbuds and IEMs are more difficult to measure. You need a dummy head that has a microphone and SPL meter inside the fake ear. That's an expensive setup.

All that said, I don't know how loud I listen. I know it's not too loud. But I don't have a SPL meter. I need to get one. It is good to know how loud the music is.
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post #7 of 20
2/21/10 at 4:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ham Sandwich View Post

The only way to compare volume settings is to use a sound pressure meter. With full size headphones you can use a SPL meter like the Radio Shack meter. Cut a piece of wood or thick cardboard big enough to seal the headphone earcup. Cut a hole in the middle just big enough to fit the SPL meter microphone in. Play your music and measure the SPL.
Exactly. Once you have the meter it only takes minutes to set it up.Very easy.



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post #8 of 20
2/21/10 at 5:17am
Step 3 or 4 (of 23) on my Signature 30.2.
Comparing the volume knob settings makes no sense though, unless you compare with someone using 100% identical rig and source material as you.
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post #9 of 20
2/21/10 at 4:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mamaloney View Post
I am at 16 in w7 volume adjuster, and 10 in wmp. Out of a700's.
You should use 100 as volume in Windows (and in the apps you use) for best sound quality. Setting it lower makes the sound lose fidelity because the volume is digital and the only way to make it quieter is to reduce the amount of bits the sound uses.
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post #10 of 20
2/21/10 at 6:07pm
x2 on tuoppi's suggestion, and in fact my Meier Cantate 2 DAC/amp combo's user manual suggests turning the level bar all the way up on your computer and using the volume knob on the amp to change volume for maximum fidelity.

That said, I listen to my music pretty loud. Only rarely is it so loud that I have ringing ears after.
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post #11 of 20
2/21/10 at 6:50pm
According to the Federal Government, you need to keep it under 90dbA, or you are damaging your hearing:

__________________________________________________ ____________
|
Duration per day, hours | Sound level dBA slow response
____________________________|_____________________ ____________
|
8...........................| 90
6...........................| 92
4...........................| 95
3...........................| 97
2...........................| 100
1 1/2 ......................| 102
1...........................| 105
1/2 ........................| 110
1/4 or less................| 115
____________________________|_____________________ ___________

But I listen at 80dbA - safer, and plenty loud for me.
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post #12 of 20
2/21/10 at 8:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skylab View Post
But I listen at 80dbA - safer, and plenty loud for me.
My best guesses put me around 80 or a few lower. Haven't used a SPL meter though. Use 25 or 30 master volume in X-Fi Audio Creation mode and -20db in Foobar with Grado SR60i, or -30db in Rockboxed iPod 5g with KSC75. All Replaygained to 89db.
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post #13 of 20
2/21/10 at 8:14pm
I usually listen as "a reasonable volume" and almost never louder than I think the music would sound if it were live without absurd amplification.
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post #14 of 20
2/21/10 at 8:22pm
I usually try to keep it soft, yet loud enough to hear everything. Laptop 100%, Mediamonkey 20%. My Clip + is on maximum for it's just loud enough and my phone on half or plus one more. My Nokia is very loud.

Recently with the Fiio E5 I kept the volume the same on my DAPs but it's ever more tempting to go louder if possible. I take more silence pauses to save my ears for a headphone impression and just to keep enjoying my music. I have to balance the volume more with the Fiio E5.

P.S. I've just been to a rock concert, an hour ago so I have to give my ears a rest, beep...
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post #15 of 20
2/21/10 at 9:22pm
Depends on my mood and what I want to listen to. Although most of the time I listen at a comfortable volume. I do crank it at times to concentrate on the details of a song.....or just to rock out
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