Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems What volume do you guys consider 'loud enough'?

The clipping light just indicates digital clipping, i.e. a hot recording, usually something modern, mastered by a man in his shed somewhere. If I play my CD's I never see the yellow light.

I have seen the same on several pairs of 5k's now so it's not a problem. The actual volume of the music at this point is at least 70 and far louder than I want to tolerate for any length of time.

T

I would like to make sure I understand the question. Are we talking the value on the display of our gear (i.e. 808) or are we talking on a SPL meter?

According to my SPL meter I normally listen in the low to mid 70dB region. Occasionally I will hit the low 80dB's on certain tracks. My 808 is set to 87 which is the equivalent to its fixed outputs. I adjust my volume on my pre-amp.

You are of course right Still-one.

It all depends on the recording.

For instance, Wayne Marshall Plays Gershwin at DSP 50 is so low I can hear SWMBO breathing. Needs at least DSP 70 to come to life.

Hector

Hector

What I am asking, when people in this thread have indicated a value are they referring to 75dB on a SPL or are they indicating the 75 that is shown in the display of their Meridian CD/Pre.

Those are two different values.

Yes I understand your point and agree with you that SPL is the only reasonable benchmark not the DSP display.

Hector

Depending on my mood and type of music,

75 on display, 75-80dB at the least
to
95 on display, 95-100dB at the max.

The latter obviously for short sessions.

But there are times when I wish the speakers would go louder. For some reason I am not able to bring myself to go to 99 even if I want louder so 95 is my effective limit!

Shankar

(Listening room 30*25*10)

Loud enough is normally 55-62 on DSPs for me. Above that, more than I need and not at all OK with my wife who often asks if "I know how loud it is?"

IIRC I played some Foofighters a few years ago on about 85-90 (DSP speedo) and it was clocking about 120 on my spl meter. It was very very loud!!

Folks should not think the display figure is decibels.

Those figures don't seem quite right to me. Clearly 85-90 is some way from 'flat out' & even 8000s aren't capable of 120db (according to Meridian).

Not sure what DSPs you run but eg 6000s seemingly max-out at 114db.

Maybe an optimistic SPL meter!

I played some Gojira a few months ago at 95 & got 112 (or was it 114db?) on my SPL meter.

Having recently heard a pair of 8k's I can quite believe 120db to be entirely possible!

T

I did preface it with a IIRC so reserve the right to be a bit out on the exact number.
However, it was definitely a "WOW that really is loud" number. If I get chance I will repeat it and post the pic of the spl screen.

8k sat at about 3.5m.

I was lucky enough to go to a dem of the 8kSE and cranked the volume round to 90 or so & they certainly pack a punch.