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February 7, 2020, 02:40 PM #1
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- Feb 2019
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- Southeast Iowa
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At what dB level do you begin to have hearing damage?
I've been checking the dB level (with a phone app) of my Pass INT 250 with the volume set to 30. Max indicated volume is 63 on the INT 250. I'm plugged into a dual power supply MSB Discrete DAC with it's volume disabled and a Roon Nucleus. My speakers are Harbeth Super HL 5+ 40th Anniversary models.
I'm currently streaming Frank Sinatra's "Nothing But The Best" album on Qobuz. AMAZING sound quality!!! The horns, string, and vocals are simply sublime. And that's with the INT 250 indicating just 30 on the volume control.
However, the "goose bump factor" increases proportionally as the volume is advanced. And for me, the sweet spot is between 45 and 48 on the loud control. Beyond 48 the volume starts to get gradually louder. But, I have to emphasize the word "gradually". I could certainly listen at higher levels, no problem. The INT 250 is just so crystal clean and distortion free sometimes you don't realize how loud you're listening.
Like I said, the "goose bump factor" increases with the volume. So, I love the sound at higher levels. OTOH, I can enjoy listening at lower levels just fine. The quality of the sound of my system at lower levels is pretty much as satisfying vs higher sound levels.
OK, all that said, I don't want to damage my hearing any more than it already is. I've played in bands on and off for 5+ decades. But I've been playing bluegrass music (all acoustic) for the last 10 years. It's much better for my hearing. I still have very noticeable tinnitus from many decades ago.
When I was listening yesterday to the Frank Sinatra album mentioned above, with the amp set at 48, my dB meter was registering an average dB reading of 80. When I decreased the amp's volume to 45 the dB meter was indicating an average of 73 dB.
So, is it relatively "safe" for me to listen with my volume set at 45 (73 dB average with peaks at 80 dB)? As I mentioned, I can listen at lower levels and be more than satisfied. Thirty eight to 40 on the volume still sounds great.Amplifier: Pass Labs INT 250 integrated.
DAC/Streamer: MSB Discrete Dual Power Supply.
Server: Roon Nucleus with lifetime subscription.
Speakers: Harbeth Super HL 5+ 40th Anniversary
Model.
Headphones/Amp: Focal Stellia phones, NAIM Uniti Atom Headphone Edition headphone amp/music player/server/streamer.
Cables: AudioQuest Rocket 88 speaker cables,
Mackenzie interconnects.
Speaker Stands: HiFi Man.
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February 7, 2020, 02:50 PM #2
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- Dec 2017
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- 586
Re: At what dB level do you begin to have hearing damage?
Does it help?
http://www.sengpielaudio.com/Permiss...posureTime.htm
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February 7, 2020, 04:02 PM #3
Re: At what dB level do you begin to have hearing damage?
I think you have to be the one who determines what’s safe for you personally. If after a typical listening session you don’t experience any ringing, tinnitus or temporary threshold shift you are probably safe. I listen all day at levels that peak at 80dB ‘C’ weighted, fast response on my SPL meter. Sometimes I’ll go much louder but for short periods of time. If I notice any threshold shift after listening I’ll stop and do something else for awhile or really dial back the volume.
Tom
Audio:
Amati Futura Mains
Amati Homage VOX Center,
Proac Response 1sc Rears,
Three MC2301's for L,C,R
MC 602 for the rears
C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 77
Nottingham Dais with Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation
SurfacePro 3, JRiver, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC
Video:
MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material.
Lake House:
Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 80, Rega P3
OnDeck:
McIntosh MAC 4300v
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February 7, 2020, 06:01 PM #4
- Join Date
- Feb 2019
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- Southeast Iowa
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- 992
Re: At what dB level do you begin to have hearing damage?
Thank you, Spock. VERY informative. I think I'm in pretty good shape if I can listen to 85 dB for 8 hours without experiencing permanent hearing damage. I rarely listen for more than 3-4 hours at a time. And it's much more often around 73-75 dB average with 80-83 dB peaks. I have tinnitus 24/7 no matter what I do.
Tom, it sounds like you and I are OK. I was thinking you ran the risk of permanent damage at around 70 dB. Evidently that's not accurate according to the info Spock posted.Amplifier: Pass Labs INT 250 integrated.
DAC/Streamer: MSB Discrete Dual Power Supply.
Server: Roon Nucleus with lifetime subscription.
Speakers: Harbeth Super HL 5+ 40th Anniversary
Model.
Headphones/Amp: Focal Stellia phones, NAIM Uniti Atom Headphone Edition headphone amp/music player/server/streamer.
Cables: AudioQuest Rocket 88 speaker cables,
Mackenzie interconnects.
Speaker Stands: HiFi Man.
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February 8, 2020, 01:09 AM #5
- Join Date
- May 2015
- Posts
- 100
Re: At what dB level do you begin to have hearing damage?
I like to listen around average 90 dBA. No fatigue and no hearing loss as far as I know.
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February 8, 2020, 04:17 AM #6
Re: At what dB level do you begin to have hearing damage?
This is what my Apple watch with in-built sound measurement tells me:
80 db: long term exposure to below 80 db should not affect the hearing. Repeated long-term exposure above that can affect the hearing. Weekly limit at this level is 40 hours, daily limit 5:30 hours.
85 db: weekly limit 12:30 hours, daily limit 1:45.
90 db: weekly limit 4 hours, already 30 minutes at this level per day can cause temporary hearing loss.
95 db: weekly limit 1:15, just 10 minutes a day can cause temporary hearing loss.
100 db: weekly limit 20 minutes, even a few minutes a day can cause temporary hearing loss.
I’m listening to Green Day right now, nice but not too loud level in my own perception is 56 db, 62 db is nice rock’n roll level.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk“Life’s too short to listen to bad audio.”
Big rig: Brinkmann Taurus DD TT + 12.1 arm + Lyra Etna Lambda SL MC + HRS M3X2/ Cardas Clear Beyond phono/ Stillpoints LPI/ Brinkmann Edison mk2 phono + RöNT II Tube PS/ Synology NAS with Roon + HD Plex linear PSU + Shunyata HD/ AQ Vodka RJ45 + Aqvox Network Switch SE + AQ Diamond RJ45 into DAC/ Brinkmann Nyquist mk2/ Audionet Humboldt/ Cardas Clear Beyond ICs/ Kharma DB9-S 1.1 LS/ Inakustik Reference LS 4004 AIR/ Audioquest Niagara 5000/ Shunyata Alpha power (HC, Analogue, Digital)/ Finite Elemente Pagode Rack/ Stillpoints Ultra SS/ Vicoustic panels + Stillpoints Aperture II.
Small rig: Naim UnitiServe/ Curious USB/ Tidal/ Linn Klimax DS3/ Shunyata Power cable/ Pass Labs INT-60/ Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II/ HiD Diamond 8/ Harbeth 30.2 40th Anniversary/ Shunyata Venom EU7 & Venom 3 HD.
HP rig: MacBookAir/ Tidal/ Auralic Gemini 2000/ Sbooster LPSU/ Audeze LCD-2 Classic + WyWires Red/ Shunyata HD/ Shunyata Hydra 2/ Shunyata Venom.
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February 9, 2020, 12:00 PM #7
Re: At what dB level do you begin to have hearing damage?
Vivid Audio - Burmester - Hegel - Marantz - Oppo - Pioneer 60" - Wireworld
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February 9, 2020, 01:04 PM #8
Re: At what dB level do you begin to have hearing damage?
Jim
D'Agostino Momentum M-400's MxV’s & HD Pre-amp
Wilson Alexandria X2 Series 2 speakers
Digital: dCS Vivaldi APEX DAC, Clock & Upsampler
Analog: SME 20/3 with Esoteric E-03 Phono
Transparent Opus Speaker Cable & Interconnects & Opus Power Cords
Power Cords on Digital: Shunyata
Power Conditioner - Shunyata Everest
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February 10, 2020, 08:29 AM #9
Re: At what dB level do you begin to have hearing damage?
Slightly off topic, but Measure the spl level next time you are in a plane or busy restaurant. I don’t understand how flight attendants don’t experience hearing loss over time.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk ProAmplification: DartZeel 468 (2) // DartZeel NHB18NS Mk. II
Tuner: MagnumDynalab 108T/SE
Table/Cart: J.Sikora Reference // Integrity HiFi Tru-Glider - DSAudio GrandMaster EX // Integrity HiFI Tru-Glider - Ortofon A Mono
Equalizer/Phono Pre: DSAudio Master3
Speakers: TAD R-1 MkII, REL Six Pack of REL Carbon Specials
Power: Nordost QBase8 Mk3, QX4, Qkore1, 3 and 6 (chassis), QK1 (2), QV2 (2), Chord GroundAray (signal), Chord Line Aray (3), Chord Professional, AddPOWR EAU2 (2)
DAC/Serv-stream: LampiZator Horizon/ Taiko Extreme
Elrod Master Statement Diamond SE Speaker Cables
Elrod Master Statement Diamond PCs (7), Evolution Acoustics 50 ohm (Zeel Connection), Nordost Odin2 IC (2), Nordost Valhalla II USB, CH Acoustic X20 IC, Final Touch Audio Elara PCs (6)
AudioDesk Systeme RCM
CMS Ultra 2.0 Footers TT (2) and TD (2), Revopods (2) and SortKones and EVPs where they work
Critical Mass Systems Ultra-Q Rack > Silence Focus Amp Stands
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February 10, 2020, 01:32 PM #10
Re: At what dB level do you begin to have hearing damage?
Neko Audio
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February 10, 2020, 01:32 PM #11
Re: At what dB level do you begin to have hearing damage?
“Life’s too short to listen to bad audio.”
Big rig: Brinkmann Taurus DD TT + 12.1 arm + Lyra Etna Lambda SL MC + HRS M3X2/ Cardas Clear Beyond phono/ Stillpoints LPI/ Brinkmann Edison mk2 phono + RöNT II Tube PS/ Synology NAS with Roon + HD Plex linear PSU + Shunyata HD/ AQ Vodka RJ45 + Aqvox Network Switch SE + AQ Diamond RJ45 into DAC/ Brinkmann Nyquist mk2/ Audionet Humboldt/ Cardas Clear Beyond ICs/ Kharma DB9-S 1.1 LS/ Inakustik Reference LS 4004 AIR/ Audioquest Niagara 5000/ Shunyata Alpha power (HC, Analogue, Digital)/ Finite Elemente Pagode Rack/ Stillpoints Ultra SS/ Vicoustic panels + Stillpoints Aperture II.
Small rig: Naim UnitiServe/ Curious USB/ Tidal/ Linn Klimax DS3/ Shunyata Power cable/ Pass Labs INT-60/ Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II/ HiD Diamond 8/ Harbeth 30.2 40th Anniversary/ Shunyata Venom EU7 & Venom 3 HD.
HP rig: MacBookAir/ Tidal/ Auralic Gemini 2000/ Sbooster LPSU/ Audeze LCD-2 Classic + WyWires Red/ Shunyata HD/ Shunyata Hydra 2/ Shunyata Venom.
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February 10, 2020, 04:33 PM #12
Re: At what dB level do you begin to have hearing damage?
Depends on the system , some systems hearing damage happens at turn on ..!
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February 10, 2020, 06:32 PM #13
Re: At what dB level do you begin to have hearing damage?
Vivid Audio - Burmester - Hegel - Marantz - Oppo - Pioneer 60" - Wireworld
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February 10, 2020, 06:50 PM #14
- Join Date
- Apr 2015
- Posts
- 634
Re: At what dB level do you begin to have hearing damage?
Simaudio Moon Neo 260 DT CD Transport / MIT SL-Matrix Plus AES/EBU digital cable / Schiit Yggdrasil Analog 2 DAC / Octave HP 700 preamp / Octave RE 320 stereo amp with Super Black Box / Reference 3A Reflector monitors on Sound Anchors Signature Stands / dual JL Audio Fathom 112 v2 subwoofers on ASC SubTraps / ZenWave Audio D4 and SMSG cables / Acoustic treatment: tube traps, Tri-panels, window plugs, ceiling diffusers (all ASC), large absorbing panels (Acoustics First), diverse carpets chosen for acoustic properties: wool, polypropylene basket-weave
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February 10, 2020, 08:39 PM #15
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- Aug 2014
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- 1,061
Re: At what dB level do you begin to have hearing damage?
there is much more to consider than db alone.
pressure, frequencies etc
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February 10, 2020, 09:17 PM #16
Re: At what dB level do you begin to have hearing damage?
Amplification: DartZeel 468 (2) // DartZeel NHB18NS Mk. II
Tuner: MagnumDynalab 108T/SE
Table/Cart: J.Sikora Reference // Integrity HiFi Tru-Glider - DSAudio GrandMaster EX // Integrity HiFI Tru-Glider - Ortofon A Mono
Equalizer/Phono Pre: DSAudio Master3
Speakers: TAD R-1 MkII, REL Six Pack of REL Carbon Specials
Power: Nordost QBase8 Mk3, QX4, Qkore1, 3 and 6 (chassis), QK1 (2), QV2 (2), Chord GroundAray (signal), Chord Line Aray (3), Chord Professional, AddPOWR EAU2 (2)
DAC/Serv-stream: LampiZator Horizon/ Taiko Extreme
Elrod Master Statement Diamond SE Speaker Cables
Elrod Master Statement Diamond PCs (7), Evolution Acoustics 50 ohm (Zeel Connection), Nordost Odin2 IC (2), Nordost Valhalla II USB, CH Acoustic X20 IC, Final Touch Audio Elara PCs (6)
AudioDesk Systeme RCM
CMS Ultra 2.0 Footers TT (2) and TD (2), Revopods (2) and SortKones and EVPs where they work
Critical Mass Systems Ultra-Q Rack > Silence Focus Amp Stands
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February 10, 2020, 11:40 PM #17
Re: At what dB level do you begin to have hearing damage?
Kuoppis was probably on an Airbus. Typically they are measurably quieter in the cabin at cruising altitude than Boeing's.
https://www.uscreditcardguide.com/ho...irplane-cabin/Borresen Acoustics Loudspeakers, Borresen Model 01 Compact monitor loudspeakers with Ansuz Darkz T2s Supreme resonance control, Audio Video Manufaktur GmbH (AVM) Inspiration amplifier & streamer, Innuos Zen MKII music server, Ansuz Acoustics cables & accessories. Please visit my system thread hosted on Audioshark for more details. Disclosure: The author is materially connected to Ansuz, Aavik & Borresen Acoustics via friendship with an owner.
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February 11, 2020, 01:54 AM #18
At what dB level do you begin to have hearing damage?
“Life’s too short to listen to bad audio.”
Big rig: Brinkmann Taurus DD TT + 12.1 arm + Lyra Etna Lambda SL MC + HRS M3X2/ Cardas Clear Beyond phono/ Stillpoints LPI/ Brinkmann Edison mk2 phono + RöNT II Tube PS/ Synology NAS with Roon + HD Plex linear PSU + Shunyata HD/ AQ Vodka RJ45 + Aqvox Network Switch SE + AQ Diamond RJ45 into DAC/ Brinkmann Nyquist mk2/ Audionet Humboldt/ Cardas Clear Beyond ICs/ Kharma DB9-S 1.1 LS/ Inakustik Reference LS 4004 AIR/ Audioquest Niagara 5000/ Shunyata Alpha power (HC, Analogue, Digital)/ Finite Elemente Pagode Rack/ Stillpoints Ultra SS/ Vicoustic panels + Stillpoints Aperture II.
Small rig: Naim UnitiServe/ Curious USB/ Tidal/ Linn Klimax DS3/ Shunyata Power cable/ Pass Labs INT-60/ Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II/ HiD Diamond 8/ Harbeth 30.2 40th Anniversary/ Shunyata Venom EU7 & Venom 3 HD.
HP rig: MacBookAir/ Tidal/ Auralic Gemini 2000/ Sbooster LPSU/ Audeze LCD-2 Classic + WyWires Red/ Shunyata HD/ Shunyata Hydra 2/ Shunyata Venom.
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February 11, 2020, 11:30 AM #19
Re: At what dB level do you begin to have hearing damage?
An interesting article https://thepointsguy.com/news/quiete...ft-in-the-sky/
2chl : Vincent Sp331MkII, W4S STP-SE Stage 2, Kef 201/2, KEF 140, Vapor Breeze, Lumin, Bryston CD, BHA-1, Quicksilver Headamp, HD650, HD800s, HD820's, Dan Clark 1.1, Focal Stellia, OPPO 203, 105. ( Boxed up: Pass Xa-30.5, VPI Classic, Dynavector DV-20XL, Manley Chinook, Cadenza Bronze)
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February 12, 2020, 05:02 PM #20
Re: At what dB level do you begin to have hearing damage?
Nearly all my listening is done between 78 and 83-85 db. My room is only 10x12 and anything louder would run me out.
I agree the goose bump factor is decidedly better around 82 versus 75.McInotsh MC75 (2) amps
Audiophonics LPA-S400ET Class D amp
Marchand XB44 crossover
McIntosh C2500 pre
Luxman 505Ux integrated to drive "B" Speakers
EAT C Sharp with Ortofon Cadenza Blue
TEAC SD1000/Yamaha SACD Blu Ray player
Sonus Faber Olympica I
dual Rythmik sealed subs
AKG and Sennheiser phones, Feliks headphone amp
Vintage Pioneer table and Kenwood 3 head tape deck
Nitty Gritty RCM, and DeGritter
McIntosh, AQ, Nordost, and Cullen Cables
Mytek Brooklyn DAC+/Sonare Ultra Rendu, SGC I transporter 5
Tidal and Roon
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February 21, 2020, 09:19 AM #21
Re: At what dB level do you begin to have hearing damage?
The Wrong frequency weighting for the situation can give wrong data. A-weighting Or C-weighting? Cus no way a plane was only in the 50’s.
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