Do you listen at reference levels ?

[George Bellefontaine]

There are times when I will listen to music at reference, but I really have a hard time with movies because the highs and lows are all over the board. Explosions at reference are just a little too much for my ears, but Diana Krall and her piano at reference is really sweet to the ears. So for movies I ususally set the dial -10 and for soft music I go reference. Louder music is usually around -5 to -10.
I know not everyone could listen to reference even if they wanted (apartment dwellers), but I'm interested in just how loud you folks play your music and movies.




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[Andrew Pratt]

I used to listen to movies at around -15 in the apartment...not sure what I'll find comfortable in the new room where neighbours are much less a concern

[David Meek]

George, I rarely listen at reference level. I like it loud, but consideration for my hearing keeps me listening at about -10 to -15 most of the time.




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[John Holmes]

I used to listen at ref for most films. Since I moved to this place ( around six months now) I've not needed it to be that loud to get the same effect. It seems that a level between -20 and -14 gives me all the detail and slam that I need! :B

For music I play it between -22 to -35db. I seem to get just as much punch as the films at the higher db. Maybe this is due to only driving 2 speakers.




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[Kevin P]

Is your "reference" level 75db or 85db?

85 would be way too loud for me, and I don't think my system could do it anyway (Outlaw w/65 wpc). I watch movies on average at a few clicks below 75db reference, but it depends on the movie (some are mixed way loud and I have to turn it down, others are so quiet I have to turn them up).

KJP




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[Andrew Pratt]

Is your "reference" level 75db or 85db?

If you calibrate with Avia to 85 dB or with VE to 75 dB the resulting volume at reference will be exactly the same its just that Avia's test tones were recorded 10 dB lower then VE's. The result though is that if you calibrate your receiver with Avia as per its instuctions then pop in VE there should be very little difference between the two....hence the term reference

[Patrick Sun]

Reference level is too damn loud to enjoy the HT experience.




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[Bob Santos]

-10 to -15 for me as well.
Whenever I try to listen to a movie at reference level, I find myself franticaly reaching for the volume controll whenever there is an explosion, or loud effect.
I do listen to some music at reference level though.

[efarstad]

HUH?

E





The Norwegian A/V Nut!
E-Cinema

[David Meek]

George,

Does your system have a "nighttime" mode? That's where the volume range is compressed. That might make things more enjoyable.




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[Lex]

I don't listen to anything reference level much now. Occasionally, an action adventure dialed up some, but I want to be able to hear fine musical detail for years to come, the best way to help with that is protect your ears.

that's why I don't mow and weedeat now without ear protection.

Lex

[Ricky]

I calibrate to 75dB and watch movies around -10. For 2 channel music, I usually listen in the high 70s, with peaks around 85dB, with the occasional low bass note going over 90dB

A few times, I played a short scene from Independence Day laser disc (near the end, when the mother ship blows up) in 2 channel stereo at 112 dB...boy that was loud!

[George Bellefontaine]

David,
Yes, I do have the "nightime" mode, but I am one of those purists who wants to hear the sound exactly the way it was recorded. However, the problem is mostly with films. Some seemed to be recorded louder than others, so my -10 setting works most of the time. I have used the compressed mode at times when I am listening to music in the living room and my wife is trying to watch
Martha Stewart in the tv room. That way I don't dusturb her.




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