What is your preferred volume level?

**Odyssey** · July 31, 2015, 08:21 AM

One of the things that I have noticed about my listening habits is that somehow I end up with the volume setting on the pre at a higher setting than where I started out.

The default setting on the pre when the unit fires up is at 35 on the readout. Let's say that is 65 SPL. But if I come across a soft passage of classical or jazz I may crank it up a bit to hear some of the detail.

And there the volume setting stays for the duration of the listening session.

**mep** · July 31, 2015, 01:58 PM

Every recording has an optimum playback level and ideally that is the level to hear each recording.

**GaryProtein** · July 31, 2015, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by mep

Every recording has an optimum playback level and ideally that is the level to hear each recording.

Definitely the truth!

**rbbert** · July 31, 2015, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by mep

Every recording has an optimum playback level and ideally that is the level to hear each recording.

In Jim Smith's "Get Better Sound" he suggests drawing a volume control with the appropriate setting on each album jacket

**jdandy** · July 31, 2015, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by rbbert

In Jim Smith's "Get Better Sound" he suggests drawing a volume control with the appropriate setting on each album jacket

Rob.......Uh, NO!

**GaryProtein** · July 31, 2015, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by rbbert

In Jim Smith's "Get Better Sound" he suggests drawing a volume control with the appropriate setting on each album jacket

I have CDs that have average volume levels that vary from one disk to another by over 15 dB.

So maybe not an exact volume level, but a relative volume level seems reasonable.

**BlueFox** · July 31, 2015, 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by BlueFox

Depends on the music. For string quartets, it ranges between high 60s to mid 70s. Generally, the recording it what determines that as I keep the pre at 45. For rock on Friday and Saturday night, the pre will be in the 50s and 60s with an SPL in the 80s or low 90s.

This is measured at my chair, which is around 8 feet from each speaker.

Originally Posted by GaryProtein

I have had string quartets perform in my living room. It's surprisingly loud -- 95+ dB at times.

I am going to try playing my Shostakovich String Quartets at 90+ db this weekend. My expectation is it will sound awful, but I will try.

**Al M.** · August 1, 2015, 01:30 AM

Originally Posted by BlueFox

I am going to try playing my Shostakovich String Quartets at 90+ db this weekend. My expectation is it will sound awful, but I will try.

Try first if you can live with or better, like, 85 dB peaks. It will also depend on how much hall reverberation is heard on the recording. If there is a lot, it may not sound great at high volume levels since it probably was recorded/mixed to sound at a distance where originally it would not sound that loud anyway.

**CPP** · August 1, 2015, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by mep

Every recording has an optimum playback level and ideally that is the level to hear each recording.

I can buy that but how does one go about identifying that optimum playback level, is it noted on a jacket or noted by the composer somewhere ?
Since we all share a different designed listening space and our hearing, well its not the same the optimum playback level could very well be an individual preference based on our music taste and our room.

**jdandy** · August 1, 2015, 10:07 AM

I view volume levels similar to the temperature of my shower. I adjust the water control until it feels right. I don't need a sticker on the shower wall to tell me the best setting. Basically, to each their own. Raise or lower the volume of your sound system until you feel warm and fuzzy. Seems pretty simple to me.

**mep** · August 1, 2015, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by rbbert

In Jim Smith's "Get Better Sound" he suggests drawing a volume control with the appropriate setting on each album jacket

That sounds practical. What happens when you switch phono stages or line stages and the gain changes?

**jdandy** · August 1, 2015, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by mep

That sounds practical. What happens when you switch phono stages or line stages and the gain changes?

Mark.......That's why Magic-Markers were invented. Just black out your original volume level setting on an album cover and draw in the new one. A secondary benefit to this is you can count the blacked out spots on your albums to help you remember how many gear changes you've been through. If you are Joe or Mike you may need both sides of the album cover.

**GaryProtein** · August 1, 2015, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by BlueFox

I am going to try playing my Shostakovich String Quartets at 90+ db this weekend. My expectation is it will sound awful, but I will try.

NOT the entire piece, just the peaks. When the quartet is IN your living room, it is that loud.

Admittedly, if your living room is 3000+ square feet with 40 foot ceilings like the Newport, RI mansions, it won't be that loud, but it will be in your house.

**CPP** · August 1, 2015, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by Double-D

I view volume levels similar to the temperature of my shower. I adjust the water control until it feels right. I don't need a sticker on the shower wall to tell me the best setting. Basically, to each their own. Raise or lower the volume of your sound system until you feel warm and fuzzy. Seems pretty simple to me.

That's the way I handle it: Volume Up or Volume Down.

**BlueFox** · August 1, 2015, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by BlueFox

Depends on the music. For string quartets, it ranges between high 60s to mid 70s. Generally, the recording it what determines that as I keep the pre at 45. For rock on Friday and Saturday night, the pre will be in the 50s and 60s with an SPL in the 80s or low 90s.

This is measured at my chair, which is around 8 feet from each speaker.

Originally Posted by GaryProtein

NOT the entire piece, just the peaks. When the quartet is IN your living room, it is that loud.

Admittedly, if your living room is 3000+ square feet with 40 foot ceilings like the Newport, RI mansions, it won't be that loud, but it will be in your house.

Well, I couldn't take it at 80+ db. If a string quartet were in my listening room I would be sitting in their lap. There are a few violinists where that would be the sweet spot.

**BayStBroker** · August 17, 2015, 01:48 PM

Thanks to everyone for the thoughtful replies. I have indeed concluded that I was listening too loud (at 90db peaks). Bringing levels down 5-10 dbs (depending on mood) has enhanced my enjoyment. If it is loud enough that I can hear all of the details and not be distracted by ambient sounds, then I am perfectly well "immersed" and can save my ears any greater pressure. In fact, to be honest, I think I had levels set a little higher to actively discourage people (read, my wife) from casually interrupting my attention to the music. I wish she'd be more conscientious, but I cannot defend my practice of trying to drown her out.

**FlexibleAudio** · August 17, 2015, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by BayStBroker

Thanks to everyone for the thoughtful replies. I have indeed concluded that I was listening to loud (at 90db peaks). Bringing levels down 5-10 dbs (depending on mood) has enhanced my enjoyment. If it is loud enough that I can hear all of the details and not be distracted by ambient sounds, then I am perfectly well "immersed" and can save my ears any greater pressure. In fact, to be honest, I think I had levels set a little higher to actively discourage people (read, my wife) from casually interrupting my attention to the music. I wish she'd be more conscientious, but I cannot defend my practice of trying to drown her out.

I put a bucket over my head to manage the wife thing but it does collapse the sound stage.

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