| Welcome to HeadphoneHaven - Where Music Enthusiasts Gather.. We hope you enjoy your visit. You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. You will also have access to better reviews/promotions and offers. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. Click Here To Join! If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features: |
| In-Ear-Monitor; Sound Pressure Level | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: 16 Nov 2006, 12:48 AM (1,401 Views) | |
| Larry | 16 Nov 2006, 12:48 AM Post #1 |
![]()
|
May I know how can I measure the loudness of the volume I alway listening to... cos if it is too high I will try to softer it.. |
![]() |
|
| zonalblitz | 16 Nov 2006, 01:17 AM Post #2 |
|
Site Photographer
|
Only the IEM manufacturers have that instrument. It's a very expensive instrument. I can't remember what it is called. Anyway, you do not need instruments to tell if you're listening too loudly. You have to make the judgement, especially when comes to using the amplifiers. The very first few signs of damaging sound level is sharp pain in your eardrums. Anyway, an advice taught to me by a professional audio engineer about listening at moderately or moderately loud volumes : keep both ears cupped/plugged at all times. This will prevent the damage to your brain. You will find one point of time where you can't balance as you walk. For safety and health reasons, slowly turn up the volume to allow your ears to adapt to the sound change; that's if you have the habit of listening loud. Also, refer to the guidebook provided with your earphone on Health advices for listening volumes. |
|
If impressing/being impressed is how it gets you around, forget it. It is not gonna happen. The world of audiophile and fine living is not an Olympics. Team "> Two Thousand Dollars Only" per Portable Audio Rig
| |
![]() |
|
| yongchris | 16 Nov 2006, 01:24 AM Post #3 |
|
I do the bus test. Put in your IEMs, take a bus (with tvmobile). If you can hear the music clearly over the ambient sounds, it's too loud. When I say clearly, I mean as if you were sitting in a quiet room. The alternate method is to sit in a quiet room and set the volume. Don't be tempted to increase the volume when you move to noisy places, as that would mean you would setting the volume at too loud a level as well. Chris |
|
Recipes at Secret Garlic Butter. Click me | |
![]() |
|
| Ryner | 16 Nov 2006, 01:26 AM Post #4 |
![]()
Music Lover
|
When is loud too loud ? Well if you have minor hearing loss or something you might need to crank up the volume as well yeah ? Well personally i love to listen loud as well but i make sure that i do not over do things. Tell tale signs are feelings of fatigue or you start to feel a headache or you find listening to music a chore at your current music volume. Well at this stage that means your volume is WAY too loud. |
|
People call me things like nuts, crazy and insane, I just tell them I am very serious when it comes to my hobbies. What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve. The most important thing in this hobby, sit down with a nice drink and enjoy the music. =] | |
![]() |
|
| TopGun | 16 Nov 2006, 09:40 AM Post #5 |
|
Callsign Maverick
|
For starters, you can start to plot out the intensity vs area graph for your ear for certain frequencies. After that present it to me and I'll calculate it for you. It's a comparative log value. Or you could take up Medical Physics under the A-Level syllabus, :lol: Now why would you want to measure the sound level? IMHO, it just takes common sense to know whether you are blasting it loud or not, and you properly need to get your ears cleaned first before subjecting your ears to the above mentioned "test"s recommended by our friendly forummers. Cheers. |
| |
![]() |
|
| Larry | 16 Nov 2006, 12:04 PM Post #6 |
![]()
|
So can I say that if my ear don feel pain mean the volume I listening to is a safety level? |
![]() |
|
| zonalblitz | 16 Nov 2006, 12:11 PM Post #7 |
|
Site Photographer
|
Not necessary. Want a very very simple way? Get a few of your friends/workmates to try out the volume with you. =) Girls are usually the first ones to complain the signs of volume being too loud.
|
|
If impressing/being impressed is how it gets you around, forget it. It is not gonna happen. The world of audiophile and fine living is not an Olympics. Team "> Two Thousand Dollars Only" per Portable Audio Rig
| |
![]() |
|
| theory_87 | 16 Nov 2006, 12:17 PM Post #8 |
![]()
I Need More Money To Spend
|
well... i my view, it hard to determine. as long as you feel comfortable, i think it fine... |
|
Source: Sansa Clip x 2 | iAudio U2 | Rio Karma | iPod Nano 4GB Gen 1 x 2 | iMod 60GB iPod Photo | iPod Gen 5.5 x 2 | iRiver H140 | HP Pavilion dv6121TX Amp: Xin SuperMicro IV | theory_87's DPA1 | iBasso D10 Modded | iBasso fi.Quest | Onkyo TX-SV919THX | Yaqin CD1 Tube Buffer w Mullard E88CC | AMB CK˛III Heaphone/IEM/Speaker: CrossRoad MylarOne X3 | SoundMagic PL30 | Modded Altec Lasing im716 | Fischer Audio Eterna w modified UM56 | Custom Ultimate Ears® super.fi 5 Extended Bass™ | Custom Ultimate Ears® #4/1000 triple.fi 10 Pro™ + mid driver| ACS T1 | JBL PS100 & Yamaha VS10M Others: xxx red series 3.5mm & RCA IC | DIY HGA 3.5mm IC | DIY Jena Cryo 3.5mm IC | DIY ALO SXC 3.5mm IC | Custom Optical IC | Ridox contact protector/enhancer | DeoxIT ProGOLD | Mapleshade SilClear | |
![]() |
|
| zonalblitz | 16 Nov 2006, 12:28 PM Post #9 |
|
Site Photographer
|
I got a friend who is very comfortable in blasting his Metal music at maxed from his Creative ear buds. So whenever we hear bee-like buzzing, we know it comes from his ear buds.
|
|
If impressing/being impressed is how it gets you around, forget it. It is not gonna happen. The world of audiophile and fine living is not an Olympics. Team "> Two Thousand Dollars Only" per Portable Audio Rig
| |
![]() |
|
| norseman | 16 Nov 2006, 12:35 PM Post #10 |
|
Dismember
|
I'm the one always complaining my gf listen to her music too loudly... <_< |
| Axim x51v | re-recabled K81DJ | UM1 | Super.fi 3 Studio | KSC75 | MylarOne | Mylar3 | Pk3 | |
![]() |
|
| Larry | 16 Nov 2006, 12:44 PM Post #11 |
![]()
|
hey zonalblitz, what you say abort girl is true... when my gf put on my sennheiser pmx100 she alway will say it was loud but she continue listen.. haha... does this mean the volume is ok? |
![]() |
|
| flu_fighter | 16 Nov 2006, 02:11 PM Post #12 |
|
TERROR.DEATH.WORSHIP!!!
|
If you are that concerned about losing your hearing, you should slowly train you ears to listening to a lower volume day by day. It can be done, it is just a matter of getting used to it. |
|
Team DT 150 Team Big Mini Team Belden Team Portaphile Team Tekkeon Team "> One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars Only" per Portable Audio Rig Team "SAY NO TO KITCHEN APPLIANCES" Klub Karma MySpace
| |
![]() |
|
| That dude | 16 Nov 2006, 03:58 PM Post #13 |
|
50000+ Member
|
I know when i am listening to music too loudy when my ears start ringing when music stops playing. The ringing is a sign that your ears are being damaged so be careful. What I often do is turn the music up to the level where I used to listen to, which is "too loud" and turn the amp down 1 to 2 o'clocks/hours/wad eva u want to call it. Moreover just ask the people around you to "test" and tell you their listening level, find a few guys to try and use their listening level as a guideline. |
| Wait, What? | |
![]() |
|
| Valerie | 17 Nov 2006, 08:59 PM Post #14 |
|
That is VERY true.... it is shocking how many people ignore this and have the sick habit of listen to ONE earpiece only. Not only does it make the listening experience one sided (literally), it also makes one giddy if you're listening a moderate volumes. And it is accentuated when you use IEMs. |
![]() |
|
| Nu_Omega | 17 Nov 2006, 11:51 PM Post #15 |
|
Why not pay a visit to the audiologist and have your ears check?Everyone listen to their music at different volumes anyway. |
|
Mala steamboat on a cold and wet night = ? That's it people..... | |
![]() |
|
| Scofield | 18 Nov 2006, 12:36 AM Post #16 |
|
is it better to use in ear to other headphones eg. akg k26p in crowded places, would the in ear mean the other noises are cut off thus letting you listen at lower volumes? |
![]() |
|
| aaron-xp | 19 Nov 2006, 05:26 PM Post #17 |
![]()
Boy
|
^ That's what I understand from whatever has been discussed at headfi. I personally agree with it. With stock buds, the volume on the Zen Micro had to go up to around half of the maximum volume. With the UM1, it only had to go to 4% of the maximum (minimum volume, in other words, on the 25 level volume control) The EP630 canalphone only has to go to around 4/25. |
| team Lover, You Should've Come Over | |
![]() |
|
| sHaRkKaE | 19 Nov 2006, 08:32 PM Post #18 |
|
but wouldn't putting it at such low volumes make it hard to listen to the less distinct parts/instruments in the song? |
![]() |
|
| scanfiend | 19 Nov 2006, 08:41 PM Post #19 |
|
Moderatus Supremus - Da Big Stick
|
It depends on what kind of earphones you're using. High efficiency earphones like the Westone UM series do not need loud volumes to sound good. Essentially, because IEM's block off ambient external noise, you do not need to crank up the volume in order to hear the music properly. You listen to your music at a steady, constant and safe (I hope ) volume, and your ears will thank you for it.If you're using ear-buds, you'll find that you really need to crank up the volume in order to hear anything at all in noisy environments - like when the train enters the tunnel, for example. So although you think you're listening at the same volume (due to the external noise), you're actually blasting dangerous levels of sound right into your ears. You just don't feel it.
|
|
Amps (Portable): XM3, Xin Supermini v5, GoVibe V5, Xenos REP, Portaphile V2^2 (maxxed), Headroom TotalAirHead, Xtra X-1, RSA Hornet-M (Gold), Headamp AE2, Headamp Pico, Graham Slee Voyager Interconnects: Currently: xxx's Red Series, ALO SCD (AU/AG) Amps (Desktop): Firestone Audio Beyond, Firestone Audio Little Country Headphone/earphones: Sennheiser HD590, AKG K601, Grado SR80, Grado MS Pros, Denon AD5000, Denon C700, OVC TC20, Sony EX90LP, AT CK9,CrossRoads Mylar (1-3), UE TripleFi 10 Pro, UE-11 Pro Sources: Panasonic CT820, Creative Zen Vision:M, Creative Zen X-Fi (32GB), iAudio X5L, Apple iPod Nano 8GB 2G, Apple iTouch (16gb), Samsung YH-J70SB, Cowon D2, Sony NW-A808, Sony NW-A829, Sansa Clip (4GB), Sansa Fuze (8GB) | |
![]() |
|
| Ryner | 19 Nov 2006, 08:43 PM Post #20 |
![]()
Music Lover
|
Generally with a good setup you do not really have to crank the volume too high to be able to hear the small bits of details. But with a lower volume you really have to pay more attention than when listening loud. Maybe thats why i listen loud cause I'm very lazy.
|
|
People call me things like nuts, crazy and insane, I just tell them I am very serious when it comes to my hobbies. What the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve. The most important thing in this hobby, sit down with a nice drink and enjoy the music. =] | |
![]() |
|
| zonalblitz | 19 Nov 2006, 08:49 PM Post #21 |
|
Site Photographer
|
Actually you're almost right. Some people would comment that the vocals are not forwarding, overwhelming bass when they listen at very low volumes. The volume is an tricky issue.
|
|
If impressing/being impressed is how it gets you around, forget it. It is not gonna happen. The world of audiophile and fine living is not an Olympics. Team "> Two Thousand Dollars Only" per Portable Audio Rig
| |
![]() |
|
| sHaRkKaE | 19 Nov 2006, 09:31 PM Post #22 |
|
blocking off ambient noise is one thing, but having to strain your ears to hear an instrument(e.g. musicians) is that better than having to put it loud enough to hear the whole song clearly? |
![]() |
|
| aaron-xp | 19 Nov 2006, 09:48 PM Post #23 |
![]()
Boy
|
It's really subjective (the straining issue). I guess it's just habit. Some prefer louder volumes while other prefer softer ones. Actually, the UM1 sounded rather loud even at volume 1. 2 was the maximum for me. Sensitivity of IEM played a part, sensitivity of ear, another :P. Seriously though, I think it's a matter of listening styles and preferences. |
| team Lover, You Should've Come Over | |
![]() |
|
| Kenchi | 21 Nov 2006, 03:22 PM Post #24 |
![]()
|
Just wanna share my 2 cents worth of thoughts: I take 1 side out, if i realize the 1 in my ear actually hurts (from all that blasting), I lower volume, till it doesn't feel that "bad" (depends if you feeling it though).
I am addicted to blasting as well..its the habit, I raise volume because i don wanna cut bass in exchange 4 clearer vocals..so the price 2 pay is dieing eardrums.. 1 cent worth! happy listenin!
|
| [size=3]Don't just listen. Appreciate.[/size] | |
![]() |
|
| sHaRkKaE | 21 Nov 2006, 07:21 PM Post #25 |
|
now that wouldn't be really a really good trade off? anyway, I feel that listening to a softer volume can be trained, it just takes a heck load of time and the willingness to turn the volume down |
![]() |
|
| laser | 21 Nov 2006, 10:03 PM Post #26 |
|
I know this might sound corny, however after reading the 'manual' from my superfi box..it says that recommended daily usage is only 1 hr.. why is that so? would it really damage our ears in the long term if we hear more than an hour? , esp IEMS |
![]() |
|
| zonalblitz | 21 Nov 2006, 10:07 PM Post #27 |
|
Site Photographer
|
I'm very sure you don't listen at very high Sound Pressure Level (SPL) @ 105 dB do you?
|
|
If impressing/being impressed is how it gets you around, forget it. It is not gonna happen. The world of audiophile and fine living is not an Olympics. Team "> Two Thousand Dollars Only" per Portable Audio Rig
| |
![]() |
|
| scanfiend | 21 Nov 2006, 11:36 PM Post #28 |
|
Moderatus Supremus - Da Big Stick
|
Well, they're just covering their butts in case they get sued Anyway, those people who use IEM's and still listen at high volumes are really defeating the purpose of IEMs. The whole point is that due to increased isolation, you DO NOT need to listen at high volumes to get equivalent sound levels of a typical ear bud. And maybe those UE guys have a point. With IEM's the tips go a lot deeper into the ear canal, so listening at unhealthy volumes can be bad....and judging from typical teenager listening volumes, a 1 hour limit IS a good idea
|
|
Amps (Portable): XM3, Xin Supermini v5, GoVibe V5, Xenos REP, Portaphile V2^2 (maxxed), Headroom TotalAirHead, Xtra X-1, RSA Hornet-M (Gold), Headamp AE2, Headamp Pico, Graham Slee Voyager Interconnects: Currently: xxx's Red Series, ALO SCD (AU/AG) Amps (Desktop): Firestone Audio Beyond, Firestone Audio Little Country Headphone/earphones: Sennheiser HD590, AKG K601, Grado SR80, Grado MS Pros, Denon AD5000, Denon C700, OVC TC20, Sony EX90LP, AT CK9,CrossRoads Mylar (1-3), UE TripleFi 10 Pro, UE-11 Pro Sources: Panasonic CT820, Creative Zen Vision:M, Creative Zen X-Fi (32GB), iAudio X5L, Apple iPod Nano 8GB 2G, Apple iTouch (16gb), Samsung YH-J70SB, Cowon D2, Sony NW-A808, Sony NW-A829, Sansa Clip (4GB), Sansa Fuze (8GB) | |
![]() |
|
| sHaRkKaE | 22 Nov 2006, 11:25 PM Post #29 |
|
talking about ear canal, does often usage of IEMs cause your ear canal to expand? cos i'm feeling that the hole to my ear is getting bigger |
![]() |
|
| Fongalv | 23 Nov 2006, 12:39 AM Post #30 |
![]()
What member?
|
How long have you been using IEMs? Ive been using IEMs for the last 2 years, and sony nudes for even longer before that and so far I believe my "earholes" are still the same... its probably the tips your using thats either collasping(foamies) or confirming to the shape of your ears after prolonged usage(silicone/rubber tips)... |
|
Music, without life is lame...Life, without music is crippled... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rigs(outdated image): 32Gb S9 →SMicroIV → e500C → me 2200mAh H140(RB) → Grover S → SMacro3v6/Diablo → e500C → me Philips CD850(circa '90s!) → 1694A → DA7.2x(TCXO) → Grover UR8 → SP MPX3 SLAM → '03 DT880 / DBE V3 → me
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | |
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
![]() ZetaBoards gives you all the tools to create a successful discussion community. Learn More · Sign-up for Free |
|
| « Previous Topic · Headphones · Next Topic » |
| Track Topic · E-mail Topic |
10:11 PM Jul 11
|
Hosted for free by ZetaBoards · Privacy Policy














10:11 PM Jul 11