Damn you orthodynamics (LCD2 & HE-6) - Page 3

 

yes you should, I believe that the "danger level" is around 85 db. past this level any listening session may cause permanent hearing loss.

If you listen at this spl for more than 3 hours a day then you WILL experience hearing loss in some ways...

FIY: I try to always keep my spl under 80db.

 

 

Probably too loud.  I don't know how accurate the iPhone measurement is going to be just sandwiching the iPhone between two ear cups.  It might be doing OK.  I've always measured SPL using an SPL meter with a plastic or cardboard disc around the mic and just measured one ear cup.  I just tried sticking the SPL mic sandwiched between two ear cups and the volume was nearly the same.  Weird.  I would have thought that measuring between two drivers like that would have made the volume more than just measuring one ear cup.  I don't know what's going on.  I was measuring with my LCD2.

 

So perhaps sandwiching the iPhone between the two Denon ear cups could give a good measurement.

 

If you're listening at around 90 dB that's too loud.  Peaks into the 90s with very dynamic music might be OK.  But if average listening level is around 90 dB then I'd worry.

 

I'm listening to Metallica (black album) at about 80 dB A weighted right now.  Plenty loud.  I just tried taking Sandman up to 90 dBA (fast time weighting) and oh my that's loud.  No way I could actually listen that loud for the entire song.  This is with LCD2.

 

Here's a guide for how loud is too loud put together by the Oregon Hearing Research Center at OHSU.  Try around 80 dBA for average level.  Peaks will be jumping into the mid 80s.  "Safe" and should be loud enough and have a safe buffer zone for the songs that get louder.

I had hearing in my right ear drop off on day when I woke up it was wax build up and right after I flushed it with the Debrox ear wax removal kit I could hear again. You might just want to go to a doctor and have your ears professionally cleaned/examined though.

 

94dB is way too loud. I would recommend 70-80dB with no more than 85dB to protect your hearing.

Hey!  That's a good idea.  You could also use the clear plastic CD-sized "spacer" that comes on top of some brands of blank CD / DVD media  spindle packs.

 

Even if you spent all your time in a quiet forest, your hearing will start to roll off above 15 kHz once you hit 40.  Eardrums harden, the tiny little tendons that connect the (hammer /anvil/stirrup) tiny little middle ear bones stiffens.  Inevitable.  

 

Just when you can afford gear that is flat to 50,000 Hz  you can't hear above 15,000.....

 

 

 

 

 

That's exactly how I have my SPL rigged. I like to listen between 75-80dB (A-weighting) average. Anything that peaks above 85dB is unsustainable for more than a track or two.

Edited by olor1n - 11/21/11 at 3:12am

The earwax removal kit and quiet meditation ideas are great and have been added to my To Do list.

 

I listen pretty quietly. I take Lecithin and Magnesium as well, probably a placebo effect but maybe they help a little.

 

I like the HE-500 and have been mulling it over, but the totally open nature of it (and therefore restricted usage and volume issue) has me considering the Thunderpants thing instead.

 

Anyway, on the dB meter, wouldn't C-weighting be more representative for full frequency range music?

i always listen to quiet levels cause i get very annoyed with treble and air frequencies. it pierces my ears if the volume is too loud and the song has over emphasized these frequencies. i find myself only turning the volume up to somewhat loud levels if the song has amazing dynamic range and well recorded cause it sounds more natural to me especially when it comes to high frequencies. i'm 23 and still get very annoyed as well from high frequencies electronic equipment give off as well.