Best listening volume?

Is there one?
Is it room dependent?
Is it hearing ability dependent?
Is it music genre dependent?

Just sitting listening to a mixed playlist after listening to jonny walker r2 show. I’m recording via a phone app a mean db of around 77 to 85 dba.
Small room of around 3x3 x 2.7 m high.
Lower volumes I hear everything but it seems a bit too quiet, higher volumes seem a bit shouty.

My experience is…room treatment helped considerably…

Not talking about sq, just volume that seems right. The difference if you like between someone talking to you and someone shouting because they think you are as deaf as they are.
I often listen to some artists too loud, particularly live recordings. I do have Rod and Mandolin Wind playing a little loud right now. :grinning:

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To me it varies with the music, and also mood. I do like to play at realistic levels, and most music sounds best that way, but with rock music in particular I limit my time doing that out of respect for my ears.

There have bern many threads where people have discussed this, e.g.

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Thanks, lots of info on those threads.

The right system with the right gear will just work at any volume.
Low volume can bring no bottom end, having to turn the system up for it to come alive, just means the system is lacking in one or more departments.
Then again at higher volumes will also just fall apart.

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You need an amplifier with a loudness button.

No, many.

Probably.

Definitely!

Yes, IME.

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@bruss I think a volume between 8 and 10 usually works the best (even though I agree with what @Dunc said, a good system will be fine at any volume). However the right volume will make you appreciate all details in the recording IMHO.
@Innocent_Bystander how do you determine the supposedly realistic volume?

In my experience the room has a key role in the whole result and at higher volumes it can be a challenge to get the best soundstage and a cleaner sound. So the room should be treated at least a bit (of course this might change a lot from one room to another).

Hearing ability plays an important role too, also if you happen to be congested or have a flu for instance.

Some genres might require higher volumes to be fully experienced, some others might not need that. It depends a lot on your personal preferences I guess.

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I’ve been to hundreds of gigs/concerts over the years…. (But avoiding huge venues or being so far away that I need a telescope to see the musicians themselves.)
Rock music is normally not quiet. Nor are the peaks of dramatic orchestral.

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I’ve mostly been to jazz concerts. I would be deaf by now if I were to use those volumes (despite being only jazz and not rock!). I hope you don’t have those volumes all the time…

I did state in my earlier post that I do limit realistic volume listening of rock music our of respect for my ears (delightful though it is to feel as well as hear the music…).

Peter Walker of Quad believed that there was an ideal volume level for every recording. I’ve found this to be generally correct in that, as you gradually increase the volume on any recording, there’s always a level at which it sounds best, even if that level is below the level you feel like listening at, or above the level you’re comfortable with (neighbours, sleeping, kids, etc.).

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Playing a record at what seems like a ‘realistic level’ at home is nowhere near the same as the levels experienced at live concerts. I find most live concerts, particularly those in closed venues, to be far too loud for comfort. I put this down to the sound technicians who are exposed to those levels every night, without hearing protection. I’d definitely not want to listen at such levels at home.

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8 o’clock when I was respectful of my wife two rooms away. Last night, after a few beers, listening to a Dire Straits HDCD at 9 o’clock on the dial was the position of joy at 1 am. I played a Pink Floyd live album this afternoon at the same volume setting, and it sound a little quiet, chilled if I may.

More Dire Straits to night.

Warm regards,

Mitch in Oz.

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I totally agree and was about to quote Peter Walker myself.

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Unfortunately volume control position tells others nothing about sound level unless they have the same system and room setup as you, as speakers vary in sensitivity and people listen at different distances, and, though generally less variable, rooms vary in absorption and some amps may have different gain.

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Fletcher Munson anyone?

Sometimes all you’re doing is adjusting to your favourite curve.

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Assuming you mean 8-10 o’clock on the volume button, what volume that ends up being will depend on a lot of factors.

The source output levels, the ampifier itself, the speaker sensitivity, listening distance all come to mind.
Your 9 o’clock might mean a very different volume level than mine.

You are right, I missed that!

@Corry that’s a good observation, I agree with that.

@n-lot Indeed I was generalizing (so yes, things are going to change according to what you said) and I was mainly referring to the volume knob on Naim gear. To be precise it’s almost impossible to give a true and correct answer IMO.

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