amirm
Member of the Trade: Madrona Digital
I think there is still some misunderstanding about the data. The numbers I have presented from research are peak SPLs. All this other data you see and measurements people use are averaged numbers, not instantaneous peaks.I am not sure what the author means by “favored listening position”. That is too vague to be of any use. I have been to many symphonies, often getting to sit in what I personally consider “favored listening positions” within the lower third of the hall. I am also very sensitive to loud noise. 120db is enough to cause me extreme discomfort, ear ringing, and muffled sound for a duration afterwards. At no time at any symphony was I uncomfortable with the loudness. And after the symphony, I am always able to enjoy a drink with friends and conduct quiet conversation with ease. A max of 127db for a "non-augmented" acoustic source sounds crazy high to me, and I've attended concerts and worked with recording equipment for many years. Your numbers sound like they're about 20db too high. And I am not alone, you can check this link to the music program at UCSD: http://musicweb.ucsd.edu/~trsmyth/level175/Example_SPL_Levels.html They peg classical music to peak around 105db. That sounds a whole lot closer to my experience in reality.
With respect to what has to exist in a digital channel, we have no choice but to use peak numbers because that is what the information is that must be stored. Average SPL numbers are used for other uses but not here.
In general, you have to add 5 to 10 db to go from average SPL to peak.
It is for this reason I say that many of you have been exposed to much higher peak SPLs than you imagine since you impression of loudness comes from averaging SPL values that are always lower.
The same is true of that link you provided, putting aside the fact that it has no details on how any measurement was performed.