What’s your normal listening volume?

[admin_exported]

Hi people, just wondering what everyone classes as normal listening volume? Obviously this is an approximate value and dependent on the amps specs etc...but as a percentage of the max volume. The reason I ask this is that above this level my woofers move quite noticeably and I’m worried about going higher. I reckon mines around 30%. Look forward to seeing what everyone thinks.

 

[Andrew Everard]

[quote user="Brisk"]above this level my woofers move quite noticeably[/quote]

That's what they do. The only way to create credible bass is by shifting a lot of air.

 

[Anonymous]

If I crank the volume up to half I could measure the woofers movement with a ruler! Should this worry me? I know the volume has a maximum but is there a recommended maximum that wouldn't end up busting the speakers? Thanks for the help!

 

[Anonymous]

For physical volume knobs (as opposed to nudge buttons and a display) I don't the the volume increase is always linier with movement of the knob.

For example, on my CA amp, 7 oclock is zero. 7:30 oclock is quiet. Moving it from 7:30 to 9 oclock makes a huge difference in volume. However, from 9 oclock to 11 makes propotionally less difference to the volume.

To really make it shout I need to go to at least 12:30 or 1.

 

[John Duncan]

At least three notches above the volume I actually want, so that when my wife comes in and turns it down..........

 

[Andrew Everard]

On most amps anything much above the 12 o'clock position on the volume control is usually just adding distortion, not more level.

And it could be those Eltax speakers have underdamped woofers, which could account for them bobbling about a bit.

 

[Anonymous]

I use my ears - the Arcam really needs a good thrashing of the volume dial (it's electronic, but It would be around 2 o'clock) to get the best out of it - however, my JVC will do muscle headbanging music at 9 o'clock and it doesn't (remarkably) add alot of distortion until around 12 o'clock when the volume is truly unbearable...we borrowed a db measure thingy from a mate and we had it upto 113db a meter away (which is remarkable considering that the speakers max spl is 111db!!!!) however the Arcam would do the same volume but it didn't seem so loud...I guess they say expensive hi-fi can go loud with you still talking due to the lack of distortion.

 

[Andrew Everard]

[quote user="Hughes123"]we borrowed a db measure thingy from a mate and we had it upto 113db a meter away (which is remarkable considering that the speakers max spl is 111db!!!!)[/quote]

Which presumably means the meter was wrong.

 

[Anton90125]

Zero at the moment. I need to get some soundproofing put in!

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Andrew Everard"]And it could be those Eltax speakers have underdamped woofers, which could
account for them bobbling about a bit.[/quote]
Im not using the eltax there just for the surround its the BR2's Im worried about!

 

[Andrew Everard]

They'll be fine.

 

[Anonymous]

i never go past 12 oclock but thats also due to the fact my power amp pushes out 300w so i need not turn the knob too far 10 oclock usual gives me room shaking volume wich im happy with!

 

[Tear Drop]

Sort of a sub-topic to this thread, but do people genuinely enjoy listening at much higher volume levels?

 

[Andrew Everard]

[quote user="Tear Drop"]Sort of a sub-topic to this thread, but do people genuinely enjoy listening at much higher volume levels?[/quote]

Pardon? Speak up, young man...

 

[Anonymous]

i do............

 

[Anonymous]

Second that!

 

[Anonymous]

Next to my volume dail there are db numbers written, starting from - 60 to 0, I usually listen to - 40, which is about a quarter.

 

[drummerman]

[quote user="Hughes123"]
Second that!
[/quote]

Time to enjoy life at a more sedate pace J. Arcam pace

 

[Anonymous]

Higher volumes during the day to the extent that I feel relief from quieter listening sessions at night!

 

[Drummerdave]

To the point just before my tinnitus kicks in....

 

[Anonymous]

About 10 or 11 o clock on average id say,

 

[gpi]

It depends on the source and with CD, on the recording level of each disc. With CD it's usually not much - about eight to nine o'clock with the knob starting at seven. With LPs and tapes it's about 11 o'clock but can go past 12 without distorting, which is one of the reasons I prefer analogue sources.

 

[Tear Drop]

[[quote user="gpi"]With LPs and tapes it's about 11 o'clock but can go past 12 without distorting,
which is one of the reasons I prefer analogue sources[/quote]

Analogue does distort, but in a different way to digital, which is what makes it more 'listenable', less fatiguing etc.

 

[fatboyslimfast]

Much above 10 o'clock in my listening room is too much - nothing distorts, but the room can't take much more due to the size (12x14')