How loud?
Posted by: Steve G on 30 November 2001
SWMBO just made the mistake of walking in and asked (somewhat sarcastically) "can't you play that thing any louder".
She retreated sharpish right enough when I showed her just how loud it would go...
Anyway it got me thinking so I dug out the sound meter and originally I'd been listening (to Blur's Parklife) at about 88-90db peaking to with occasional peaks to 94-95db. That's quite a bit louder that my usual 75-80db but it's a Friday and the kids don't have school tomorrow so what the heck.
My system (CD3.5/32.5/SNAPS/140/Credos at the moment) seems comfortable up to 107db (about 7-8ft from the speakers in a 12'x8' room) which I have to seem is bloody loud (and with the CD on the tuner input only 12 o'clock on the volume control). It'll go significantly louder but there did seem to be some distortion coming in so I stopped before something blew up (or blew out).
Anyway, my question is (and I know it's not all that relevant) "what'll yours do mister"?
Cheers
Steve
Posted on: 30 November 2001 by Tim Jones
Steve -
I was very, very lucky when I moved into my flat about two years ago. I took a massive chance moving my Naim rig in, but in those two years have not had a single complaint, despite extreme testing of my 135s to show people that "those little fans at the back come on" at approx 4am.
There is something strange about the walls of the block I live in (it's purpose built, late 70s). They are made of a material that melted the Man-from-Mana's drill bit when he came to install my wall shelves. It helps if you live on your own as well...
A friend has a Rega 25/Nait2/Kyte system that leaves her neighbours screaming when she goes above 8 o'clock on the dial. She's seriously considering selling up as a result.
Tim J
Posted on: 01 December 2001 by Martin Payne
Anyone know where I can get a half-decent SPL meter?
My normal haunt for this sort of thing (Maplins) doesn't seem to carry anything.
cheers, Martin
Posted on: 01 December 2001 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by Martin Payne:
Anyone know where I can get a half-decent SPL meter?My normal haunt for this sort of thing (Maplins) doesn't seem to carry anything.
cheers, Martin
I got my Radio Shack one from Tandy.
Regards
Steve
Posted on: 01 December 2001 by Martin Payne
quote:
Originally posted by Steve G:
I got my Radio Shack one from Tandy.
As I understand it Tandy closed down in the UK about a year ago.
Am I mistaken? Do you have any contact details?
cheers, Martin
Posted on: 01 December 2001 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by Martin Payne:
As I understand it Tandy closed down in the UK about a year ago.Am I mistaken? Do you have any contact details?
cheers, Martin
As I bought mine a couple of years back you could be right.
Regards
Steve
Posted on: 03 December 2001 by Mike Hanson
That's mighty loud!
I measured my system on Friday, while playing it as loud as I could ever imagine wanting to do so. It was peaking at around 97dB (according to my Radioshack digital SPL meter). My "normally loud" listening level is probably closer to 85-90dB.
-=> Mike Hanson <=-
Posted on: 03 December 2001 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by Mike Hanson:
That's mighty loud!I measured my system on Friday, while playing it as loud as I could ever imagine wanting to do so. It was peaking at around 97dB (according to my Radioshack digital SPL meter). My "normally loud" listening level is probably closer to 85-90dB.
-=> Mike Hanson <=-
It was bloody loud - much louder than I would ever need to go, although I suppose those reserves of power are possibly quite useful for classical tracks with an extended dynamic range.
I think the Credos are quite sensitive which is why they can go so loud with just a 140 driving them.
Sound like you've got the same SPL meter as me.
Regards
Steve
Posted on: 03 December 2001 by Steve Toy
Densen B300 (100 wpc into 8 ohms, 200 wpc into 4)
Rega Naos (92 dB/w/m)
Room: 2.5 x 3.5m.
Can any one tell me how loud it can go in there in dB?
It's always a nice day for it 
Have a good one! 
Steve.
It's good to get back to normal.
Posted on: 03 December 2001 by Martin M
Assuming you are at 1 metre distance from the speaker and it presents an 8 ohm load you'll get 112 dB max. Buy some ear plus if you want to check this figure.
Posted on: 04 December 2001 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by Mr Tibbs.:
Two mono 110's into Epos 14's. Max. SPL not measured but capable of mind numbing loudness, a bit like an R6 at 15000 revs with a Yoshimura can.Mr Tibbs.
I'm not a great fan on loud exhausts as I think they draw too much attention. That's why my CBR600 is still on the standard pipe. It still sounds quite loud at 14,500 rpm though, but it's mainly intake noise.
Regards
Steve
Posted on: 04 December 2001 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by Mr Tibbs.:
Steve,
How right you are, I got the Y can as it actually sounds great not loud, but along with the Dynojet kit and filter it transformed the low - midrange poke of the R6.
My CBR is fuel injected so I'm thinking about getting a power-commander for it, primarily to improve the fuel consumption. A couple of days at Cadwell Park and Knockhill this year have convinced me that it'll be a while before I'm looking for more power!
Regards
Steve
Posted on: 04 December 2001 by Steve G
quote:
Originally posted by sybil:
Can you bike guys help me make my honda cub90 sound like an R6?Please?
J
Make a nice Honda sound like a minging Yamahaha? Surely not...
Regards
Steve
Posted on: 04 December 2001 by Stuart M
When mI have the volume of my CD5/Flatcap/102/140/IBL's over 12 O'clock, appart from being very loud it distorts whats going on? Same with LP12 (probably at 1 O'clock) and it was the same with the 62.
Don't think I've heard any system at a silly volume (I value my ears) like 3 O'clock without distortion.
Considering how high the volume control can go why don't they cover a normal range. I tend to use mine about 10 O'clock for general listening.
Posted on: 05 December 2001 by Martin Payne
With vinyl (few records only) I can get the volume dial to the 3:00 (or even once or twice 5:00 position).
cheers, Martin
Posted on: 05 December 2001 by Top Cat
I often wonder if the distortion we sometimes hear at high volumes is more to do with the ears' inability to handle the SPLs...
I can't get past 3 out of 13 on my preamp's dial without danger of things falling off of shelves, windows rattling and my eardrums ringing...
TC '..'
"Girl, you thought he was a man, but he was a Muffin..."
Posted on: 05 December 2001 by Martin Payne
quote:
Originally posted by Top Cat:
I often wonder if the distortion we sometimes hear at high volumes is more to do with the ears' inability to handle the SPLs...
TC,
playing Leftfield off CD @ 1:00-2:00 on volume I can go outside and hear that it's distortion-free (this through single-glazing). No signs of strain at all.
Stuart,
I bet it's mainly your speakers that can't take a lot of stick.
The 140 is pretty powerful into speakers that can take it.
cheers, Martin
