How Far Up Do You Go ?

[RobbieGong]

How far round on the volume dial do you tend to go during a sesh ?

10 to 12 is usually more than enough for me, even when I'm going for it a bit - I dont like really loud

This is in a room 4.5 mtrs x 3.5 mtrs approx

[walpurgis]

8 or 9. Small room, big Tannoys.

[Barry]

Assuming the compass of the volume control runs from 8 'o clock to 4 'o clock, I arrange the sensitivity of the input(s) to be such that the volume control is mid-way at 12 'o clock for normal listening. When the programme material needs to be played louder (and I believe there is a correct level for music when it sounds 'right'), then I will turn it up to 2 'o clock.

[paulf-2007]

That means diddly squat, 80db is normal for me, sometimes 90db

[Barry]

That means diddly squat, 80db is normal for me, sometimes 90db

Do you listen with a sound level meter?

[southall-1998]

10-12 for me.

S.

[Ian7633]

I really wish I could say the immortal Spinal Tap line " all the way up to eleven man " but as I live in a flat and my neighbours are generally nice I have to keep the volume to modest levels.......mostly.

[rubber duck]

That means diddly squat, 80db is normal for me, sometimes 90db

Agreed. Totally meaningless. It's 1am and I'm listening at 12 o'clock. But this is a record that's not cut very loud, through a passive preamp. I'm guessing in the low 70s dB. My normal listening peaks around 78dB. In the daytime I may play this particular record at 1 maybe even 2 o'clock to reach 78dB. On CD I was listening at 10-11 o'clock, again depending on how loud the CD was mastered.

On my active preamp the volume is rarely past 9 o'clock. So it depends on the recording, gain levels, speaker sensitivity, and room size. So yes, an SPL meter (or phone app) is a more useful indicator of loudness.

[Macca]

On my active preamp the volume is rarely past 9 o'clock. So it depends on the recording, gain levels, speaker sensitivity, and room size. So yes, an SPL meter (or phone app) is a more useful indicator of loudness.

The only indicator in fact. Lots of amps are already close to max output with the dial at 12 o'clock, there is no universal standard for spl vs dial position so it is meaningless, whether as a guide to what sound pressure level you are at or the power output of the amp. And that's before you take anything else into account.

But to answer the op, usually around 12 o'clock on the dial. A little higher for 'quiet' cds, a little lower for the highly compressed efforts.

[paulf-2007]

Do you listen with a sound level meter?

I check it occasionally, I have a meter close by.