What is your idea of 'Reference Level'?

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by dewd

I disagree with this statement. If everything is setup correctly (flat), then 105/115 db peaks are not that loud. I have measured 110db during "Master and Commander" and found it to be quite enjoyable.

Where it gets uncomfortable is when you have dips and peaks in your response (or your system can't keep up and it clips). That's why I strive to makes my system as flat as possible.

How many times do you find a movie at a theater too loud? They play at film reference (at least the better ones do - THX certified).

I hope you are kidding. My speakers are perfectly calibrated with Audyssey and an SPL meter. A few times, I accidentally turned on the system after the volume on my receiver was at "0". I thought I was in hell and my speakers were going to burn.

If you love your hearing, please turn the volume down. 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