[WhiteShadow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by luckybaer Vacuum cleaners are "only" 70dB?

I can't stand the loudness of my vacume cleaner(it is loudest vacum cleaner i have used

), and I would never attempt to listen at those levels. When I vacum I use my IEMS and even with music on, I still hear the vacum cleaner.

 

[stefancolson]

This poll is pointless when most people have no idea what XXdb really relates to.

FYI:

Occupational Safety and Health Orginization "Occupational noise exposure guidelines":
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owad...RDS&p_id=10625

Chart of loudness references (including musical instrument examples) as well as a chart of percieved changes w/decibel changes:
http://www.gcaudio.com/resources/howtos/loudness.html

Info on Fletcher/Munson curves (which relates to how we hear at different volume levels):
http://www.sfu.ca/sonic-studio/handb..._Contours.html

At 70mph, the sound pressure level inside your car can exceed 90db.
SPL levels in front of a piano (assume that you're playing) can easily reach the upper 90's, and can even break 100db.
My dishwasher (measured while standing a few feet away in the kitchen) hits the mid 80's.

I tend to listen to speakers at between 75 and 85db, and headphones at similar levels. At 85db light fatigue doesn't set in for 6-7 hours, and it doesn't become extremely noticable until after 10+ hours. I catch myself reaching to turn the volume up after 7-8 hours at those levels. After 13-14 hours I start to get that "ears stuffed with cotton" feeling. After 18-20 hours my ears are pretty much useless, and everything starts sounding like mush. Cut those numbers in half for an average listening level of 85-90db, and cut them in half again for a level of 90-95db. Anything above that for longer than a few minutes and I'll wear earplugs.

 

[luckybaer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stefancolson This poll is pointless when most people have no idea what XXdb really relates to. FYI: Occupational Safety and Health Orginization "Occupational noise exposure guidelines": http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owad...RDS&p_id=10625 Chart of loudness references (including musical instrument examples) as well as a chart of percieved changes w/decibel changes: http://www.gcaudio.com/resources/howtos/loudness.html Info on Fletcher/Munson curves (which relates to how we hear at different volume levels): http://www.sfu.ca/sonic-studio/handb..._Contours.html

This was good stuff. Armed with additional references, I'm guessing I am somewhere between 70 and 80 dB during the day, and probably between 60 and 70 at night while relaxing.

 

[ken36]

Who cares????

 

[Skylab]

If you guys haven't actually MEASURED, I bet you're listening louder than you say you are...

 

[darkninja67]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab If you guys haven't actually MEASURED, I bet you're listening louder than you say you are...

When I pause my music it does seem very loud but I do not experience any ringing or fatigue. At least not yet.

 

[mrarroyo]

I "think" I listen in the 50 dB range. I have to get me a pair of dB meters to know for sure.

 

[Skylab]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo I "think" I listen in the 50 dB range. I have to get me a pair of dB meters to know for sure.

I'd be shocked if that is the case. 50db in headphones is hardly audible, and certainly would mean you'd have to be using IEMs or sealed headphones.

 

[c0mfortably_numb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stefancolson At 70mph, the sound pressure level inside your car can exceed 90db.

Hrmm I wonder what 80 or so MPH and an Alpine head unit set at 23 to compansate for the road noise of a POS civic would equate to

 

[mrarroyo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab I'd be shocked if that is the case. 50db in headphones is hardly audible, and certainly would mean you'd have to be using IEMs or sealed headphones.

By the way the figure I quoted is in my bedroom while surfing the net or jus laying back.

 

[smeggy]

I voted 80db but who the hell knows what it really is as I have no way to test it so it's a guesstimation. Probbly 80 +-10 *shrugs*

 

[robm321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab If you guys haven't actually MEASURED, I bet you're listening louder than you say you are...

I agree - 50-60 db's make it hard to hear over your breathing. 70db's is one quiet vacuum.

I actually measure each time I put in a CD - I know anal go ahead and laugh - anyway, anything less than 70 is a strain to hear. I avg. about 73 db's - I just want to make sure I'm not 85-90 which will cause permanent damage later in life - and other than measuring you don't know if the damage is being done till it's too late. I'd still like to be an audiophile when I'm old and not deaf.

 

[Skrying]

I'd say the actual real level of most is more towards 90dB. With the really low listeners listening at least at 70dB. Anything lower than that is very hard to hear on a headphone, and getting any real pleasure out of it is hard to understand for me.

 

[Skylab]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skrying I'd say the actual real level of most is more towards 90dB. With the really low listeners listening at least at 70dB. Anything lower than that is very hard to hear on a headphone.

This is true. I measure to make sure I listen below 80db, and there re times I wish I could turn it up. And I have been tested, and I know I have excellent hearing.

I measured my vaccum just now-- 92db at 1 meter. Brand new hoover.

 

[robm321]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab This is true. I measure to make sure I listen below 80db, and there re times I wish I could turn it up. And I have been tested, and I know I have excellent hearing. I measured my vaccum just now-- 92db at 1 meter. Brand new hoover.

I knew it!!