Tutorial - A tale of 6 amps THD+N and THD specifications

[bigshot]

What sort of a noise floor would you consider a quiet listening environment? What threshold of distortion below peak level would you say doesn't matter any more in a very quiet living room with a quite good speaker system?

 

[sonitus mirus]

What sort of a noise floor would you consider a quiet listening environment? What threshold of distortion below peak level would you say doesn't matter any more in a very quiet living room with a quite good speaker system?

Well, he did say this:

"My lab space often achieves 22 dBA and 28 ~ 30 dBC SPL ambient."

In other words, a lot quieter than anything you will probably ever happen to enjoy. (about 1/32 of a typically quiet library!) That said, I have had near-field speakers with built-in amps specifically designed for them. In an effort to keep the FR flat at a reasonable cost, compromises are made that allow for clearly audible noise to be heard if you put your ear a few inches next to them with no sound playing. At <30dB ambient, I would think I might even be able to hear that noise at the typical 3-5 feet away for a majority of any near-field monitors' placements. With music playing, no way. I hate noise, too, except the kind that Hendrix made.