What do you consider home/bedroom levels?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MadAsAHatter
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MadAsAHatter

MadAsAHatter

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I see bedroom volume regularly referenced and think my definition is skewed compared to the general consensus. This may be because it's just my wife and I and she doesn't care how loud I play. I'll try to be courteous and ask from time to time if I was being too loud. She always says it's not bothering her and I can play louder if I want. A good example is I see people talk about older Mesa Mark amps being insanely loud with the master at 2 and pissing off everyone in the house. On my Mark III with channel volumes between 7-9 so they're balanced out, going through a 4x12 I'll have the master up to 3 for regular at home playing and be fine.

I've measured the dB levels a couple of times through various amps at my normal playing volume. Obviously it would be less in other parts of the house, but measured 6-8 ft. away I average about +/- 105 dB in the room. I really don't play any quieter than that. So if I say I was playing loud it's probably closer to 110 dB if not a bit past that. (Quick aside I do try to keep my exposure at that level within time limits set by OSHA to not damage hearing too much).

So, +/- 105 dB is what I define as bedroom levels. What do you consider bedroom levels?
If you can give a measured dB level great. If not, here's a reference chart with some common noises to make a comparison.

1694007959459.png
 
Typical TV volume levels


He's playing the below at TV volume levels .

First half of video is the JMP 1 WATT and the second half of video is the JCM 800 1 WATT .


 
I’ve noticed the starting point for most amps to start sounding their best and get the speakers moving is around 85-92 dBA, which is definitely above TV volume levels and would be annoying to most people in the room. You’d have to shout to hear each other in conversation.

105 dBA is approaching concert sound levels. That’s very loud. If you follow the guidance on how long you can listen to a loud sound before hearing damage, then at 105 dbA you only have around 8 minutes of constant exposure before you start losing ear hair cells, which do not grow back. Be careful. Tinnitus is not fun.

Sounds at 85 dBA can lead to hearing loss if you listen to them for more than 8 hours at a time. Sounds over 85 dBa can damage your hearing faster. The safe listening time is cut in half for every 3-dB rise in noise levels over 85 dBA. For example, you can listen to sounds at 85 dBA for up to 8 hours. If the sound goes up to 88 dBA, it is safe to listen to those same sounds for 4 hours. And if the sound goes up to 91 dBA, your safe listening time is down to 2 hours.

https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/loud-noise-dangers/
 
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PLX said:
Just loud enough to where I can't hear my wife telling me the cat threw up again.

🐈
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This ^^, but instead of my wife telling me, I can actually hear the Cat throwing up.
 
Any volume where you can still hear the strings acoustically.
 
pipboy90 said:
I’ve noticed the starting point for most amps to start sounding their best and get the speakers moving is around 85-92 dbA, which is definitely above TV volume levels and would be annoying to most people in the room. You’d have to shout to hear each other in conversation.

105 dbA is approaching concert sound levels. That’s very loud. If you follow the guidance on how long you can listen to a loud sound before hearing damage, then at 105 dbA you only have around 8 minutes of constant exposure before you start losing ear hair cells, which do not grow back. Be careful. Tinnitus is not fun.

Sounds at 85 dBA can lead to hearing loss if you listen to them for more than 8 hours at a time. Sounds over 85 dBa can damage your hearing faster. The safe listening time is cut in half for every 3-dB rise in noise levels over 85 dBA. For example, you can listen to sounds at 85 dBA for up to 8 hours. If the sound goes up to 88 dBA, it is safe to listen to those same sounds for 4 hours. And if the sound goes up to 91 dBA, your safe listening time is down to 2 hours.

https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/loud-noise-dangers/
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This is good advice y'all. My hearing was fine until suddenly it wasn't and you don't get it back. I recommend a custom pair of ear plugs like Etymotic Musician's Ear Plugs. Cost me $250 and if I want pant flapping volumes I can rest easy at night without the ringing and sensitivity.

It will never be quite the same satisfaction as no plugs but I'll say it again you only get one chance.
 
If you are consistently playing above 90-95db, you are damaging the fuck out of your ears. You’ll start hearing weird things too like, thinking a 2c+ sounds good. Ya hate to see it, you really do.



Playing I’m under 85 at home. Mixing? Even lower, usually around 70db. It’s much, much easier to hear nuances and compression at quiet volumes.
 
I don't change amp settings. I do run a Power Station.

And I can say quite confidently that on Sunday mornings, my dirty amp sounds pretty damn clean...
I think there's a db meter app, I'll have to try it out.
 
I can usually get good enough tones at say 85 dB so I'll go with that. Splawn needs to be a bit louder than that though to get the goods, but I have other amps I can use.
 
Want to ask:

For those of you who turn down volume at certain times for certain people, do you maintain your core tone? Use pedals?
 
pipboy90 said:
I’ve noticed the starting point for most amps to start sounding their best and get the speakers moving is around 85-92 dBA, which is definitely above TV volume levels and would be annoying to most people in the room. You’d have to shout to hear each other in conversation.

105 dBA is approaching concert sound levels. That’s very loud. If you follow the guidance on how long you can listen to a loud sound before hearing damage, then at 105 dbA you only have around 8 minutes of constant exposure before you start losing ear hair cells, which do not grow back. Be careful. Tinnitus is not fun.

Sounds at 85 dBA can lead to hearing loss if you listen to them for more than 8 hours at a time. Sounds over 85 dBa can damage your hearing faster. The safe listening time is cut in half for every 3-dB rise in noise levels over 85 dBA. For example, you can listen to sounds at 85 dBA for up to 8 hours. If the sound goes up to 88 dBA, it is safe to listen to those same sounds for 4 hours. And if the sound goes up to 91 dBA, your safe listening time is down to 2 hours.

https://www.asha.org/public/hearing/loud-noise-dangers/
Click to expand...

Interesting; OSHA sets different limits for noise exposure. 29 CFR 1910.95 & 1926.52
BTW, not trying to disprove you or anything. Just interesting that the time difference between the 2 sources is so different. At 105 dB, ASHA = 8 min, OSHA = 1 hour.

1694020043173.png



1694020017973.png
 
For me I’d say my typical volume is around 80. At that point it still sounds good and I can play and write for extended periods without issue.

105db is pretty darn loud for regular extended playing. Particularly if you are in an untreated room with reflections bouncing all around. My room is a 14x17 untreated rectangle, and 105 is uncomfortable unless you have some isolation headphones on. Now I will sometimes crank up between 100-110 if I’m wanting to track a tone, but I’ll always have some isolation headphones on for that. Even then, I find I don’t want to be in there for very long because of how the sound pressurizes the room. That can make your ears hurt even with the isolation headphones on.
 
MadAsAHatter said:
Interesting; OSHA sets different limits for noise exposure. 29 CFR 1910.95 & 1926.52
BTW, not trying to disprove you or anything. Just interesting that the time difference between the 2 sources is so different. At 105 dB, ASHA = 8 min, OSHA = 1 hour.

View attachment 244637


View attachment 244634
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That is interesting. I’m not sure of the reason for the difference. Does OSHA require ear protection and maybe the exposure level limit is based on that?
 
pipboy90 said:
That is interesting. I’m not sure of the reason for the difference. Does OSHA require ear protection and maybe the exposure level limit is based on that?
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I fairly certain that is exposure limits without hearing protection. There's is this section that states if a person's exposure exceeds the limits set by the chart the employer is to either reduce the noise level or provide adequate PPE (hearing protection)

1694022558598.png
 
Depends bedroom where.

In my house, I usually played at loud-ish TV volumes in my bedroom, but not deafening. People downstairs could definitely hear me. So around what... 70?

In my apartment, I have to wear headphones. I'm sure I could bring out the actual amp from time to time, but I'd probably have to play at computer speaker volume level, which is kind of uninspiring for me, so I'd rather have the headphones on. So around what... high 50's, low 60's?
 
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