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Do you use loudness?

Do you use loudness modifier?

  • Definetly yes!

  • Hell no!

  • It depends...

Results are only viewable after voting.
I rarely listen to volume levels high enough to roll my loudness compensation off, so, yes, I use loudness almost all the time and really enjoy the increased pleasure it brings to low level listening. I run tone controls flat. In only one instance was this not the case. I bought a nice Sansui 5000X receiver that produced bass levels beyond anything I've ever heard, even at very low volumes. In that case, I left the loudness compensation off.
 
yotems said:
id much rather have a loudness switch than none, you dont have to use it but it sure makes a big difference at low volumes.

there are rooms in my house where i wouldnt need the loudness then there is the room im in that needs it.

a loudness control's purpose is pretty self explanatory... bump up EQ lost in low volumes to fill out the sound.
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Please refer to my previous post regarding Fletcher-Munson curves. Loudness is only needed/desireable at low listening levels for measured reasons.
 
I thought about this more and while my main system does not currently have loudness I do have several units that do have it.

I have an sx-1250 with hpm-100's in the garage. One click on all tone knobs (4) and no loudness gets me the perfect mix. A combo anyone should try at some point really.

I do the same thing with my 1280 but I find the smaller guys (950 and 750) I tend to use it more. (When I do use them).

I also find speaker choice has something to do with it as well. My kg4.2's would be more likely to get loudness than say my hpm's.
 
no. getting sick of people who think because thats my name i run everything full tilt. i damn near got banned for someone thinking that a while back.
 
Bassblaster said:
To me that sounds so flat and dull. i hate not having an EQ of some sort. i dont like my music to sound flat and dull.
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It's much more efficacious when you use an equalizer to improve a good speaker. If your speakers sound dull and flat perhaps it's time to replace them.:D

loopstick said:
I use it all the time and love it. Distortion? Pshaw!
.
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You're the first responder in this thread to bring up distortion. Although on a strictly technical basis tone controls, equalizers or any device that changes the signal is by definition distorting said signal I don't necessarily consider that to be distortion. I suppose my using a DSP to help correct in room response could also be considered adding distortion to the signal. However, as far as I'm concerned the results justify the means.
 
I do. Based on what I've read here it's apparently because my system isn't good enough to NOT need it, but so be it. I also don't listen to my music very loud, and it sounds weak to me without it.
 
JoeESP9 said:
You're the first responder in this thread to bring up distortion. Although on a strictly technical basis tone controls, equalizers or any device that changes the signal is by definition distorting said signal I don't necessarily consider that to be distortion. I suppose my using a DSP to help correct in room response could also be considered adding distortion to the signal. However, as far as I'm concerned the results justify the means.
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It comes up from time to time. The only rationale that even remotely might have some merit to me is the possible introduction of frequency-dependent phase shifts. But I give that possible credence only cuz I'm too ignorant to debate it. And in the DSP realm it's probably a total non-issue.
 
System dependent here. On my better rigs no I never use it. But on a couple of lower end rigs with smallish speakers yes the loudness button is essential.
 
I rarely use the loudness on my Yammie, sometimes at low volume. But normally if I feel I need a touch more bass or treble I'll tweak the tone controls to my needs but I usually just keep them flat too. I got my speakers set up just so and my Yammie seems to be agreeing with them a lot more since the re-cap. But all in all it's still nice that it's there and even better that it's adjustable. Guess I'm just a flat and boring guy. :biggrin:
 
I used it occasionally on my NAD 1600. I usually kept it flat but sometimes it was right at at the right time.

It was the only loudness feature I ever felt actually improved the sound when I felt it was appropriate.

Otherwise "loudness" has been on my ignore list.
 
I use loudness controls that are variable on my Mcintosh Pre-amps and HT processor when the average listening level is below 70 db or so. I use a DBX 119 as a compresser to kill the peaks and the loudness control to make up for the 10 to 15 db loss is bass. I don't worry about the highs. When we have guest over for dinner or other functions and we have music on at low levels the system just sounds thin and irritating without the loudness control. Its impossible to get the sound right just using tone controls by them selves. For really quiet levels, more compression is added and I insert my Graphic program equalizer, too.
 
JoeESP9 said:
Usually it shuts itself of once you get much past 12 O'clock on the loud knob.:eek:
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:eek: is right! With a SX-828 and either JBL L26's or Klipsch KG4's I'm at 70-ish db with loudness on or off and volume at 9:00. 12:00 volume would blow windows out of my 10x10 office - not to mention my eardrums.o_O

The loudness circuit boosts certain frequencies in a way that the tone controls cannot. It's always on for me with tone controls straight up.
 
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