[Ric2L]

I'm curious as to what volume you guys listen to movies at, on a calibrated system that uses "0" on the master volume as reference level? I usually watch Blu-ray & DVD's at -10, and regular TV at -15 to -20. I find that its just a little to loud to listen at reference level for my tastes.


My set up is Definative Techhnology Mythos Ones for L/R, Mythos Three center, Mythos Gem XL's in the rear & an SVS PC12-NSD sub. Powered by a Yamaha RX-V765. Calibrated to 75db using a Radio Shack analog SPL meter.

 

[Fanaticalism]

BD = -5:-15

2 Channel = varies since there is no reference

Cable = What's that?

 

[goonstopher]

Blu rays from -4 to 0 (very high and very clean thanks to JTR)


Music sometimes goes up to +4


I never listened at such high volumes before I got these speakers.

 

[MKtheater]

Always reference levels. I don't listen to music in the theater but if the occasion does call for it, club level.

 

[cdy2179]

Usually around -15 but sometimes down to -5.. whatever feels or sounds right for the movie.... system still seems to have plenty left, haven't strained it at all since adding an Emotiva EXPA-3.

 

[Chicagorep]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Ric2L /forum/post/18180313


I'm curious as to what volume you guys listen to movies at, on a calibrated system that uses "0" on the master volume as reference level? I usually watch Blu-ray & DVD's at -10, and regular TV at -15 to -20. I find that its just a little to loud to listen at reference level for my tastes.

Reference level is really loud, that's why I don't understand why so many people make such a big deal about it. I like to listen a little on the loud side but I also want to preserve my hearing.

 

[Todd Lee]

-25 to -15, for movies.

-35 to -10, for music.

 

[Mantis10]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Chicagorep /forum/post/18181509


Reference level is really loud, that's why I don't understand why so many people make such a big deal about it. I like to listen a little on the loud side but I also want to preserve my hearing.

Totem rep cool we just picked up Totem a few months ago. Great musical speakers. I have liked Totems lines for many years.


Reference level is just a industry standard which I'm sure you know. I however rarely listen to anything that loud as I also want to preserve my hearing.


Blu Ray depends on the disc usually around -20 to -15 . DVD roughly around the same. Music can be -30 to -10 depending.


My system is Pioneer sc -07 and definitive Technology Mythos ST and 10 center and rears

 

[cdy2179]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Chicagorep /forum/post/18181509


Reference level is really loud, that's why I don't understand why so many people make such a big deal about it. I like to listen a little on the loud side but I also want to preserve my hearing.

In a treated room without horrible reflections it's not bad or ear peircing loud.... most people who don't understand or think it can hurt their hearing are listening in very bright rooms which adds to the noisiness and makes it very unenjoyable. And often times their equipment is straining and distorting to attempt to hit these levels which also adds to distortion and makes you cringe.

It should sound natural with voices and effects at realistic levels.


Listening at reference levels is very room and gear dependent.

 

[MKtheater]

Reference level is loud but not where it hurts the ears. The peaks are too short and not loud enough. All processors work different and calibrated reference level is -10 db's on my processor, not 0 MV. If I did not take any measurements during a movie I would have never known that.

 

[Chicagorep]

Mantis, so you're dealing with the guys at Aurora Group? Totem is a great company to work with, you'll appreciate them.

 

[Jedirun]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Chicagorep /forum/post/18181509


Reference level is really loud, that's why I don't understand why so many people make such a big deal about it. I like to listen a little on the loud side but I also want to preserve my hearing.

I used to think reference level was too loud until I got speakers that could handle it and did not distort at the same measured spl. Reference level is not too loud in the theater, but it sounds like it is at home, because most consumer speakers are incapable of reproducing it cleanly, so it sounds harsh.

 

[penngray]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Chicagorep /forum/post/18181509


Reference level is really loud, that's why I don't understand why so many people make such a big deal about it. I like to listen a little on the loud side but I also want to preserve my hearing.

Its all about the peaks and distortion actually and not what levels you listen at.



You need to plan properly for it or the system will sound like crap. Its really all about headroom and once people understand that they will be able to build a better system.

 

[penngray]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Jedirun /forum/post/18189821


I used to think reference level was too loud until I got speakers that could handle it and did not distort at the same measured spl. Reference level is not too loud in the theater, but it sounds like it is at home, because most consumer speakers are incapable of reproducing it cleanly, so it sounds harsh.

Yep, most people think reference is too loud only because....


1. Their speakers suck wrt dynamics.

2. Their rooms suck wrt dynamics.


btw, I do not listen at reference, Im at about -15 down but dynamics is still way up there!

 

[MKtheater]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Jedirun /forum/post/18189821


I used to think reference level was too loud until I got speakers that could handle it and did not distort at the same measured spl. Reference level is not too loud in the theater, but it sounds like it is at home, because most consumer speakers are incapable of reproducing it cleanly, so it sounds harsh.

This guy knows what he is talking about.

 

[ratm]

My AVR must suck. I am having to turn movies/TV (bluray or not) up to at least 30. Sometimes 40.

 

[Jidonsu]



Quote:
Originally Posted by ratm /forum/post/18189883


My AVR must suck. I am having to turn movies/TV (bluray or not) up to at least 30. Sometimes 40.

That's not necessarily true, different AVRs can have different way to display volume. My Pioneer goes from -80 to +15 or so. Another one may go from 0 to 95, or something like that. Having it start from -80 allows me to set 0 (easy to remember) as a reference when I calibrate the system using an SPL meter. You might have to set 80 as your reference. In the end, it's all the same.

 

[marlin29311]

I listen to BD at about -15 to -20, and watch TV/Play Xbox at around -30 to -35.


I have a Pioneer VSX-9130 (Elite 03 clone) and the Paradigm Cinema Phantom System.

 

[citizen arcane]

-25 to -15 sd dvd

-35 to -10 music


this is in a treated multi media room....broadband absorbers at first refection points and rear wall, tri corner bass traps and acoustic cloud

 

[diamonddelts]

I've never had the juevos to go over half power on my system at this time. The bass is just too overpowering for my 1600 square foot apartment with the speakers on by themselves. It feels like an earthquake with the speakers alone. With the subs on it gets even more obnoxious sound like loud thunder strikes. Though I hope to experience what reference level on my system sounds like in the near future when I will be getting a home after my lease is up.