RollsDownWindowsManually
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2001
- Posts
- 372
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- 116
Geez. How safe or unsafe are IEMs? I'm using them for the first time and today for the first time I'm noticing tinnitus during the day (after waking up so no recent use of headphones or IEMs). I'll notice it going to bed and wonder how I don't otherwise, but it's definitely there right now.
Well, you probably want to keep your maximum listening level below 85 dB, A-weighted. Unless you build a measurement rig for your IEM it's hard to figure it out. I do have a calibrated measurement mic and a flat plate coupler for full sized headphones, so I measure 85 dB with a full sized can, then try to match that level approximately by ear with my IEM and take note of what volume setting that is for a given IEM/source combo. Personally I use Z weighting and try to keep peaks below 88db, which on most modern brickwalled music works out to about 85db on average, Z-weighted. People have made rudimentary measurement rigs for IEM's using acryllic tubing and UMIK-1 or behringer ECM8000 type mic like this, although it's pretty tricky to get internal volumes correct. Probably better than nothing though.
Depending on your level of interst, it might be worthwhile to get a miniDSP E.A.R.S.
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