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What Volume do you listen at?

When you sit and listen actively to your stereo, what volume do you like to set it at?

I am thinking about replacing my mediocre system with a new High Dollar System ($30K). My guess is that when you have High End gear, you naturally want to play the music at a higher volume. Is that true for you?

I have a RadioShack Analog Sound Level meter. It tells me that when I have music on in the background I set it at about 50 dB. When I set it at what seems right for serious listening, it is more often 75 or 80 dB.

One implication of this is where I will put my new listening room. I had intended to put it in our living room (pictured in the link above). However, if I will be always wanting to play so loud that my wife will complain, perhaps I should set up a room in our basement.
hdomke

Showing 1 response by pbb

pbb
1,140 posts
 
Years ago, I made a post here about volume level, the main thrust of which was that for any given piece of music there is only one volume level that is correct. I, obviously, didn't invent anything here as this comes from a recording engineer of some repute. I had even postulated that every record should have some built-in benchmark indicating what that proper level should be.

You are right on one thing: a better system will be way more dynamic and, while the average SPL might be similar to what to you get with a smaller system, the uncompressed dynamics is where you will get your money's worth.

A dedicated listening room is really a must for serious listening in order to keep some semblance of peace in the house.
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