I think volume gets overlooked a lot

[admin_exported]

I have found in the past that if you have the volume on too loud, especially on cheaper systems, it does definitely lead to distortion there is no doubt about that, likewise some systems begin to sound harsh to.

However more importantly, if you turn up a system too loudly then that detail is lost, because the volume simply becomes overwhelming for your ears. If you turn it down to comfortable levels then hey presto all of that detail is there again, so when people use statements like it's lacking in detail, perhaps at times it's simply because of the volume, nothing to do with limitations of the system.

Agree?

 

[Andrew Everard]

It's not so much overwhelming for the ears, as overwhelming for the amplifier, which loses its dynamic headroom when you ask it to play loud. So it clips the signal, things get nasty-sounding, and then if you keep on pushing it your speakers stop working or the amp shuts itself down.

 

[Anonymous]

Oh I don't mean nasty sounding Andrew, just literally too loud for the ears, volume can be overwhelming you know, or maybe my ears are just sensitive

 

[Andrew Everard]

Yes, you can get compression in your ears, when they actually stop working to a degree to protect themselves, but by that stage you're well up into potential hearing damage territory.

It's pretty hard to get to those kinds of levels with domestic audio equipment, and most of the hardness you'll be hearing will be either the amp struggling to drive the speakers, which are sucking power out faster than the power supplies can replace it (in very rough terms) or the speaker drive units reaching the limits of their travel.

 

[Anonymous]

Andrew Everard:

Yes, you can get compression in your ears, when they actually stop working to a degree to protect themselves, but by that stage you're well up into potential hearing damage territory.

It's pretty hard to get to those kinds of levels with domestic audio equipment, and most of the hardness you'll be hearing will be either the amp struggling to drive the speakers, which are sucking power out faster than the power supplies can replace it (in very rough terms) or the speaker drive units reaching the limits of their travel.

Good reply andrew, made it easier to understand for people like myself who doesn,t really have a clue about the physics in hi-fi. I was given advice by a hi-fi shop owner who said that when you audition any hi-fi component for the first time, you should listen at a volume that you can still comfortably hear the person in the same room speak to you, he said that at that volume you should be able to hear everything the set-up can give you and that when you move the volume up it should only amplify what you already hear and not add anything you did not hear before, that is the sign of a good well thought out set up. He also said that if your first listen is at high volumes then your ears get accustomed to that level and lowering the sound would give you the impression of losing detail and dynamics.

 

[Anonymous]

Hmm interesting, in these sense that it doesn't sound like anything is straining as such.

 

[AEJim]

hi fi newbie:

Hmm interesting, in these sense that it doesn't sound like anything is straining as such.

I remember hearing your amp in a demo once and remember it sounding quite harsh at high volume - I know the speakers can play loud without hardening up (I have driven them in the office and at home from an AVI Lab series amp) so I think the power supply may not be quite up to the job, or at least something in there...

 

[aliahk]

My first audition was a rega Brio3and a Creek(the cheapest one) on an apollo cdp and the creek actually clipped the signal.

I was rather surprised it did.

 

[Cass]

Hifi newbie, I notice you have a NAD amp, which is interesting. I have a C326BEE and definitely find the sound more pleasing at low volume, when the amp's excessive bass actually seems to work to the advantage of the sound - with some other amps, it's the bass that goes missing at low volume. However, when I want to whack the volume up when listening to rockier music, that's when the bass becomes a problem and mid-range detail is lost.

Of course, it's entirely possible that you're not talking about your current set-up, in which case my point is moot!

 

[Blackdawn]

Yep, the vol. you listen at has a major impact on the precieved sound. Different kit sounds better of worse at diff. sound levels in different rooms. This is also important to consider when you are just starting out and have a small flat for example or terraced house. Also interestingly, for music I enjoy more I usually listen at higher volumes, just because it's more exciting!