Average listening SPL

[krips]

I downloaded a handful of SPL apps only my iPhone 6 and iPad mini tonight, and after several tests while watching game of thrones with the devices @ 1m from the right main, I was getting 50db average and 60 peak. This seems incredibly low based on what I read others listen at, but any louder for me would be bordering on uncomfortable. Are my readings way out to lunch? The bottoms of the devices were pointed straight at the speaker. Thanks.

[madmac]

The readings are probably correct. What's uncomfortable for some might be normal for others. Using probably the same apps, my Android SPL reads in more like 75 db's+ for my listening taste.

[krips]

Thanks for the reply. I'm just trying to figure out what kind of output I need so I know what type of speakers to build. Perhaps a diysg tempest with 15" woofer is overkill lol.

[Ovation]

If you have an AVR that is designed to match (within an appropriate room size), reference level audio from a mastering soundstage for cinema, it should reach that point on the volume dial at 0dB. Depending on the AVR, the noise for setting levels generated for your audio setup should either read at 75dB (on a C-weighted SPL meter) or 85dB (can't remember offhand why some differ--I'm sure Google has the answer). If you have one where 75dB on your meter is the level of 0dB on your AVR display, and you tend to listen at -20dB on the volume dial, then your readings seem correct (though, IIRC, the readings are supposed to be done from the listening position, not from up close to the speaker--been a while since I've setup an AVR). I usually listen to movies at -20 (sometimes, for visceral impact with blockbuster movies--when the house is empty--I'll go to -10 to -15) below reference. For music (as CDs and other media are not calibrated to movie audio standards), I find a setting of -30 often sufficient (especially if it suffers from poor dynamic range at the mastering stage). Older, or recordings with wider dynamic range, often get bumped up as much as 10dB on the volume dial at home.

Clean, loud audio is nice but can be difficult to achieve (or tolerate in smaller rooms--my room is small).

[krips]

I have the volume dial set to 48 (not -be as far as I can tell). The receiver is a pioneer vsx 820.
The speakers are pioneer Andrew Jones bookshelves.

[Ovation]

I have the volume dial set to 48 (not -be as far as I can tell). The receiver is a pioneer vsx 820.
The speakers are pioneer Andrew Jones bookshelves.

Many AVRs offer the option to view volume as an absolute value (like your display) or as a relative value (-dB) as I have mine set up to do. Should be an easy switch in your settings menu if you're curious.

[wkhanna]

be wary of SPL apps for your phone.
many (if not most) are not accurate.
do not rely on one until you can compare its readings to a known source.

i have one of the old Radio Shack analog meters that apparently are no longer available, which i purchased many years ago for ~ $30.
this is an example of one similar to mine:



LINK
this link is not my meter nor do i have any association with the seller, just using it as an example


btw, if someone has or gets one to the Radio Shack units, its low-level accuracy is slightly flawed but can be corrected using the following correction factors:

10Hz +20.5
12.5Hz +16.5
16Hz +11.5
20Hz +7.5
25Hz +5
31.5Hz +3
40Hz +2.5
50Hz +1.5
63Hz +1.5
80Hz +1.5
100Hz +2

[madmac]

I have the volume dial set to 48 (not -be as far as I can tell). The receiver is a pioneer vsx 820.
The speakers are pioneer Andrew Jones bookshelves.

For critical 'sit down' listening, the volume on my Rotel is at 65 or so !

[krips]

I have a rat shack meter, should dig it out and see how it compares.

[oldbob]

Meters are great for balancing things out but, I wouldn't raise my listening level based on what a meter says. I would use it to lower my listening level though if by using it I discovered I was potentially damaging my ears. Occasionally it is probably ok to listen to a HT at public theater levels or music at close to concert levels but, it doesn't take much to do damage. I worked as a roadie way back when and I have decreased hearing acuity that may be due to those years. So, be careful.