Estimating Headphone Volume

Discussion in 'Audiophiles: Headphones, Earphones, etc.' started by tinyman392, Dec 17, 2011.

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  1. tinyman392 Super Moderator

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    You aren't too far off though... @~50% (90dB) one hour max is recommended per day (anything over can result in hearing damage). So it's possible that at 70% you'd be limited to half an hour... Obviously, it's better to still turn in down since you are still risking a lot when you are exposed to 90+ dB.
    tinyman392, Dec 18, 2011
    #31

  2. APV Well-Known Member

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    Yeah... At night I listen at 35% volume...

    Based off of my error, (of having the volume limit at 70%, then listening at 50%-60% of that 70%,) I actually listen to my music lower than the 50% mark normally.

    So technically I'm only listening to 35% of 70% at night as well, making it more in the 20's. Hmmm... But the Sony EX310's are kinda loud in comparison to any other headphones I have, so that makes sense...
    APV, Dec 18, 2011
    #32

  3. tinyman392 Super Moderator

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    Actual loudness is based on the device, the headphone impedance, and headphone sensitivity.

    As for the EX10s, they are actually pretty loud (due to lower impedance). At your level (35%), you are listening around 80dB. At 70% it's 106dB...
    tinyman392, Dec 18, 2011
    #33

  4. APV Well-Known Member

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    No, I have my volume limit at 70%, which I got caught up on earlier as well...


    It makes the volume bar span from:

    0% --- to --- 70%,

    instead of,

    0% --- to --- 100%.


    So 35% volume on my "volume-limit" volume bar would really be .245, (of 1,) and 60% is actually .42, (of 1,) when total "non-limited" volume is taken into account.

    [EDIT] Still, that can be slightly high with my headphones... But, then again, 90% of my music is film soundtracks, and they tend to be of lower volume anyway... (I always get a jolt when one of the three "radio-worthy" songs I have plays, as they are MUUUUUUUUUUCH louder... I should turn on sound check... But then my soundtrack music would be louder, so I wouldn't listen to it as loud anyway! O_O)
    APV, Dec 18, 2011
    #34

  5. tinyman392 Super Moderator

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    LOL, OK, well now you're at about 70dB, a good comfortable listening level.
    tinyman392, Dec 18, 2011
    #35

  6. APV Well-Known Member

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    I just took a screenshot of my volume lock, opened it up on my computer, measured it's pixels, made a percentage, and it's actually at 64.8%, not 70%, so the levels I'm listening to are slightly smaller than those based off of the 70% volume lock guess I based all of my calculations on! ;)

    But I'm done for now... Too much thinking for a Sunday night.
    APV, Dec 18, 2011
    #36

  7. tinyman392 Super Moderator

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    LOL, nice... Now it's about 66dB :p I'm at 68 with my PFE right now...
    tinyman392, Dec 18, 2011
    #37

  8. APV Well-Known Member

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    Have you tried the EX310's? (A bit off-topic, I know...)

    (on-topic) 66dB is much nicer sounding than 70dB. :cool:
    APV, Dec 18, 2011
    #38

  9. tinyman392 Super Moderator

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    LOL. I have not tried the EX310s. I've tried the older EX300s. Actually, it's the iPod version the DR-300iPs. Same drivers though.

    LOL, 66dB isn't too different than 68dB though... 2dB difference is actually quite hard to hear...
    tinyman392, Dec 18, 2011
    #39

  10. APV Well-Known Member

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    I had the 300's as well... They are both a bit bassy and sharp with something to be desired for the mids, but I love both of them... It's hard to get good headphones (even across lows/mids/highs,) for $55 though. As $55 headphones, they are very good. The K350's from AKG are AMAZING with mids... (fyi... But they lack clarity in the highs and presence in the lows.)

    I know 2dB is barely a difference... On paper(/screen) it still sounds better though.
    APV, Dec 18, 2011
    #40
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