Temperature and Humidity?

[joetama]

I've been having a lot of issues as of late with static electricity, dry skin, sinus issues, etc etc. So out of curiosity I purchased a weather station that reads humidity and temperature. I was shocked when I powered it on and it said my humidity was 3%. Figuring this was a total mistake and it was broke I took the station back, getting a new one and it read 5%. So, I purchased a totally different model pool room humidity gauge and it pegged out at 10% humidity. (Lowest range it would go)

So, I purchased a humidifier to add some moisture back into the air of my apartment. (Aparently it is drier than the Sahara Desert) But, I'm wondering what is an acceptable humidity to have for Home Theater equipment. I know too high is bad for electronics and I'm thinking too low might be bad for wood of loudspeakers and cones. I've read a few sites for comfort they say 35%-40% Would this range also be acceptable for audio equipment? Moreover, what would be better than acceptable?

Thanks for the input.

[dknightd]

Humidity is difficult to measure accurately.
I try to keep it around 50%. I'd consider anything between 30-70 acceptable.
Depends where you live I guess. Your gear is probably fine if you are fine.

[wkhanna]

Winter time here in the North East means furnaces running & taking moisture out of the air, on top of the typical low humidity associated with the colder temps. The biggest effect is the creation of large amounts of static electricity. Normally no big problem with most of your audio equipment aside from the sometimes unpleasant result of 100 thousand volts leaping from your receiver’s volume knob to your unsuspecting fingers as you reach to crank some watts into your favorite track. That can warm you up real quick on a cold evening!

However, for those of us who spend a fair amount of time spinning vinyl, static can at times be quite troublesome. Some cartridges have as little as .5 millivolt output, and when static charge builds up between the vinyl surface and the cart, SQ can be affected. Good, solid grounding is critical for us, especially in the winter months.

[joetama]

Indeed, I've been slightly reluctant to spin any Vinyl as of late.


But, I've got the humidity up to 23% and the air already feels more friendly.

[wkhanna]

..........reluctant to spin any Vinyl ........

????? :E ?????

Only when you pry it from my cold dead hand :W

[joetama]

I need to get a new preamplifier as well... Funds have been a bit tight so its been a bit of a waiting game.

[Russ L]

I've been having a lot of issues as of late with static electricity, dry skin, sinus issues, etc etc. So out of curiosity I purchased a weather station that reads humidity and temperature. I was shocked when I powered it on and it said my humidity was 3%. Figuring this was a total mistake and it was broke I took the station back, getting a new one and it read 5%. So, I purchased a totally different model pool room humidity gauge and it pegged out at 10% humidity. (Lowest range it would go)

A humidity of 5% is desert like. The Santa Ana winds causing the wildfires in California have a moisture content that low. The humidifier is definitely a good purchase.

[wettou]

A humidity of 5% is desert like. The Santa Ana winds causing the wildfires in California have a moisture content that low. The humidifier is definitely a good purchase.

Humidity in the 30-40% improve the sound, plants are a great way to add humidity:T

[joetama]

Humidity in the 30-40% improve the sound, plants are a great way to add humidity:T

I might just have to get some plants... I've always heard they are generally good for the air quality in a room as well.

[Finleyville]

Not to mention that if you purchase some larger leafy varieties it could aid in room "hotspots" with some diffraction. haha.

[Amphiprion]

Individual electronic components are commonly rated to perform up to 90% relative humidity (non-condensing). Your stereo gear will be fine at any level of humidity that you find comfortable. Also, living in southeast Texas, I envy your lack of humidity

[littlesaint]

I think the general rule is you want the humidity as high as possible up to 60% without building up condensation on the windows when it's cold. How high you can go depends on the how well your home is sealed, insulated, the type of windows you have and the outside temperature. The recommended minimum is 35%, 40-60% is ideal.

[twitch54]

While true for all the reasons mentioned so far, for those of us that utlize Martin Logan Electrostatics they actually perform their best in winter with it's lower humidity (30-50%) is ideal.