Whats Too Loud?(Danger Of Blowing Speakers?)

[zodiak]

Sorry for another potential "dumb" question, just set up my Pioneer 03 & Polk monitor 60's(using just 2 fronts for now)....my question is I have been viewing BD movies currently between -30 to -25 I dont want to damage the speakers so Im curious whats too loud?

I understand without a center Im losing some sound and my room accustics are very poor, but whats a safe range to be listening?

thanks again.

[Intamin]

-30 to -25 should be fine, assuming it's calibrated. Generally, if it's hurting your ears, it's too loud. When you do calibrate your system (if you haven't), 0 is supposed to be reference level, but that is entirely too loud for even me. Another way to tell is if you hear your speakers start distorting or popping, or you can also pick up an spl meter from radioshack and check out how loud it actually is.

[zodiak]

thanks.....yes I used the auto setup(MACC? I think) plus its doesnt hurt it gets loud when there is an explosion or some big pop....so Im good? cool

[McLoki]

when you turn up the volume and it gets louder but no more clear - you are nearing a dangerous edge. As you increase the volume, you should always be able to hear more detail....

Michael

[liquidice]

when you happen to notice that your receiver or speaker has caught fire, it may be too loud. Most people think there is a stigmata in their living space, but it truly is just being pushed to far. So, if you ever start smelling smoke, put down the rosary beads, and grab for the volume control.

[Rob J in WNY]

zodiak,

You mentioned MCACC on your Pioneer 03, which should have calibrated your speakers around a 0dB channel level reference point. To add to the previous posts, -30dB to -25dB system volume is certainly not problematic, unless you are inputting massively loud input signals to your receiver.

It's pretty hard to quantify just when you are pushing it too far, but, barring aforementioned indicators of speaker or receiver damage, if you are listening to point of physical discomfort, suffice it to say that, at that point, may be worse for your ears than your speakers.

I have watched movies all the way through at -13dB on my Pioneer SC-05, and I have Polk T90e fronts (same as Monitor 60). I will say that the soundtrack on the BD was rather low in volume to begin with (there is quite a bit of fluctuation on different titles). I would not want to listen any louder than that, for fear of harming my ears, and bothering neighbors. Really, -13dB was pushing it quite a bit as far as the latter is concerned, though my one neighbor works late nights and doesn't get home until after midnight.

If you ever hear evidence of "clipping," turn down the volume immediately. Clipping occurs when the amplifier has maxed out, and has run out of headroom. It usually creates the commonly heard "blasting car stereo distortion sound" where bass sounds overtake all higher frequencies, creating massive and audible distortion. There are varying opinions on whether clipping ("momentary DC voltage") is damaging to your speakers, but make no mistake, don't take the chance. Turn the volume down quickly.

[zodiak]

thanks again for the info....just so Im clear..... if my volume level is -25 0dB

I shouldnt be in any danger of damaging my equipment....just curious can the 0dB be changed? not that I want to, simply curious.

[Sith]

If my ears are bleeding so much that the wife tells me to mop the floor, I know it's to loud...

[Dase]

I listen loud and I have not had any issues with my T90e's (same as monitor 60's). Some soundtracks are louder than others but I usually listen anywhere from -16db to -7.5db and have not had any issues at all.

I use two presets on my AVR. One has been calibrated using audyssey, and I have checked that one with my spl meter. The other preset is calibrated using only the spl meter. Both are set so reference is at 00db.

It is my opinion that if you are leveled or "calibrated" in this manner then you should be able to go to reference no problem and not damage your speakers (your ears are more sensitive). But as others have said, you need to be aware of the indicators of when you are actually too loud.

If you are running those in 2 channel then you are pushing them harder than you would if they were in a 5.1 configuration but at your listening level of -30 to -25db I would think you are not even close to hurting them.

[Sith]

I would think the only problem you might encounter is playing Rock/metal
blu rays at a loud volume where the levels and distortion from the bands
can differ so much...Not sure I'd crank the NIN blu ray all the way while
running a 2 speaker set up...Especially in uncompressed..

[Big Daddy]

You should be more concerned with damaging your hearing. Speakers can be replaced. Unfortunately, god doesn't give refunds.

Measuring sound pressure levels in your listening room can help prevent damage to your hearing from long term exposure to high sound levels. Continuous high pressure levels (> 100 dB) can permanently damage your ears and your loudspeakers.

The following table from the U.S. Department of Labor gives data regarding safe sound level exposure.

A-Weighting, Slow response
Hours per day, Sound Level (dB)
8hrs, 90db
6hrs, 92db
4hrs, 95db
3hrs, 97db
2hrs, 100db
1.5hrs, 102db
1hr, 105db
0.5hrs, 110db
0.25hrs or less, 115db

To make sure your speakers are operating at safe listening levels, use the SPL meter. While playing music at your normal listening level, hold the meter up at a 45 degree angle and take a reading with the meter set to “A-Weighting” and the speed switch to the “Slow” position. Adjust the volume according to the table above. Although you can safely listen at 90db for about eight hours per day, use this table only as a guide and turn the volume a few decibels down.

[genkifd]

i actually restricted my reciever volume to -10db max but majority of the time i do set my volume to -20db for most movies..... normal tv watching -39db is plenty....

[zodiak]

Thanks again for the feed back, Big Daddy where can I get a meter?

Just so I understand(sorry for the ignorance) the db level we are meaning is when displayed on the receiver.....[ -25 0db] if thats displayed on my rec. my volume is -25? and these listening levels is in reference to that correct?

or is it the 0db...in which case I have no idea how to adjust that level.

thanks for the clearification and your knowledge

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by zodiak

Thanks again for the feed back, Big Daddy where can I get a meter?

Just so I understand(sorry for the ignorance) the db level we are meaning is when displayed on the receiver.....[ -25 0db] if thats displayed on my rec. my volume is -25? and these listening levels is in reference to that correct?

or is it the 0db...in which case I have no idea how to adjust that level.

thanks for the clearification and your knowledge

The receiver is where you would adjust the db levels to zero. It is usually called the channel level, and you would need to go into your manual menu set-up in your receiver and set them to 0 db's if you desire. The db level BD is referring to is within this menu setting in your receiver, but it does not equate to what you see on your display (25 db's set as your channel level setting will not show you -25db's on your receivers display.)

The following is a link to Radio Shack's SPL meters. BD recommended Radio Shack for my SPL meter, and I too, like BD stated, think the digital SPL meter is better because it is easier to read.

http://www.radioshack.com/family/ind...goryId=2032222

Good luck!

[zodiak]

Forsberg thanks for that info, this is starting to make a little sense...so I should be checking channel levels? & I set that through the receivers menu?

Now if I ran the auto setup(with the microphone that comes with the pio 03)
is it safe to trust the auto setup in terms of the levels not being to high?

with the db level set Im assuming the volume will become louder and possibly distorted if to high?
One more ?, right now I have 2 fronts when I add the center or any other speakers I should always run the auto setup so the receiver can clalibrate according to the new speaker configuration?

Thanks for your help again

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by zodiak

Forsberg thanks for that info, this is starting to make a little sense...so I should be checking channel levels? & I set that through the receivers menu?

Now if I ran the auto setup(with the microphone that comes with the pio 03)
is it safe to trust the auto setup in terms of the levels not being to high?

with the db level set Im assuming the volume will become louder and possibly distorted if to high?
One more ?, right now I have 2 fronts when I add the center or any other speakers I should always run the auto setup so the receiver can clalibrate according to the new speaker configuration?

Thanks for your help again

1) Yes, the channel levels are what you will be calibrating within the receivers set-up menu with the SPL meter

2) I trust the MCACC (I have the Pio SC-05, so I think it is still MCACC) to set up distances and any other calibration settings it provides, but it is the db levels only that you will be changing, so I say you can trust MCACC to set-up your speakers, but as far as channel levels, I have always had to increase the db levels with the SPL meter after I ran MCACC. Seems to me most receivers calibration programs set up the channel levels on the conservative side, so I think it would seem on the low side, and not too high. But this is the real reason for an SPL meter, to balance out all of your speakers and sub's sound distribution.

3) Always re-run MCACC or any calibration program you have if you move any speaker, add or subtract speakers, even if you introduce new furniture to the room, it will effect the sub more so than your speakers, so all the more reason to re-run the program, so my answer is yes.

I hope this helps!

[zodiak]

Forsberg..... yes its been very helpful

I havent changed any channell levels so as you said the "default" level is on the conservative side, thus I am most likely not in danger of blowing any equipment.

When adjusting the channel levels will dialog become louder? right now in most cases the dialog is ok, I was told when I add a center speaker this will improve the dialog greatly so Im being patient.

I intended to get an spl meter $50 bucks radio shack right by my office, so when Im adjusting the db levels reference BD chart any other considerations?

Whats the benifit of increasing db levels is it only loudness?(again sorry for the ignorance) thanks again

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by zodiak

Forsberg..... yes its been very helpful

I havent changed any channell levels so as you said the "default" level is on the conservative side, thus I am most likely not in danger of blowing any equipment.

When adjusting the channel levels will dialog become louder? right now in most cases the dialog is ok, I was told when I add a center speaker this will improve the dialog greatly so Im being patient.

I intended to get an spl meter $50 bucks radio shack right by my office, so when Im adjusting the db levels reference BD chart any other considerations?

Whats the benifit of increasing db levels is it only loudness?(again sorry for the ignorance) thanks again

After you buy an SPL meter, read Calibrating Your Audio with an SPL Meter. It has a sticky in receivers section.

[tilapiah6]

Originally Posted by Intamin

-30 to -25 should be fine, assuming it's calibrated. Generally, if it's hurting your ears, it's too loud. When you do calibrate your system (if you haven't), 0 is supposed to be reference level, but that is entirely too loud for even me. Another way to tell is if you hear your speakers start distorting or popping, or you can also pick up an spl meter from radioshack and check out how loud it actually is.

So once you've tuned every speaker to 75db using an SPL meter, 0db on the receiver should be reference? That's pretty damn loud. I usually keep it around -5db for movies and -12db for music.

[ShockWave]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DP89iMe0BY

Don't try this afer 500 plays you WILL blow your speakers!