Do you use the 'loudness' feature on your rcvr/amp?

[ozmoid]

I have a Yamaha amp, and the "loudness" control is a little different from the usual "button". Loudness on the CR and R series Yamahas is a variable contour pot, that removes mids and upper tones in a pre-determined EQ curve that varies with the control setting. I use it in two cases:

Low level listening - really smooths out what I hear at low volume levels, keeps the bass from fading away. I usually turn the volume UP until I get the bottom end where I can hear it clearly, then turn the loudness control UP, which pulls the mids and higher pitches down so my wife can sleep! :thmbsp:

Phil Spector recordings: I mainly have John Lennon albums he recorded, but it seems every track Phil worked on for him has a "dead" topend. The built-in EQ curve seems to be just the thing for it!

Otherwise, the Tone controls on my amp stay flat.

 

[Eunomians]

I always use Loudness at low listening volumes.

All tone controls kept are flat. Always flat. All the time. In fact, if you were to walk into my house right now, you'd see my tone controls are flat.

 

[shelby1420]

I do not have tone controls............

 

[Aage]

So, I guess you "straight wire with gain" folks don't have equalisers either, then? Or is that another pole?

 

[shelby1420]

So, I guess you "straight wire with gain" folks don't have equalisers either, then? Or is that another pole?

Actually I have a Sansui SE - 9 that I plan on using in the garage with my Marantz 2330........

 

[pioneervato]

Depends on how loud my wife lets me crank it up. At lower listening levels I usually have it switched on.

 

[bordeno]

Depends on the system.
My separates system doesn't have tone or loudness.

My integrated amp and receivers all have it and it gets used alot. I like to turn on the loudness AND turn down the bass a notch or two. Too much bass with tone flat and loudness on. In general the receivers don't get played as loud as the separates system. And as mentioned below, the variable loudness on my Yammy CR-1020 is extremely cool.

 

[slow_jazz]

i use the loudness button at lower volume and always use the tone controls...

there is no such thing as a flat room so you need to compensate....

 

[JJCharles]

Frequencies are nothing but noise

Hi,

Loudness...you bet. And three amplifiers each with their own equalizer to accentuate the frequency range that I want to hear from each pair of speakers. The high-mounted (listening height) speakers facing me are upped in the 1kHz and 400Hz ranges to make vocals stand out. The other front facing speakers are floor mounted and have the upper mid and high frequencies upped. The rear wall mounted speakers are high up and lend themselves to bass ranges, so the upper ranges are reduced. Each set of speakers is concentrating on a particular range enabling them to work more efficiently. :yes:

 

[dmax99]

I don't have loudness or tone controls in my main rig....

 

[jedo1507r]

I can't keep my hands off them.

 

[fropiler]

I do whatever is necessary to make it sound good to me. Loudness feature "on" almost always sounds better to me. I will not hesitate to grab a handful of tone controls or EQ sliders if I deem it necessary.

 

[Deacon Jubal]

I did use it most of the time with my first system 9vintage Pioneer/BIC/EV, etc.
That was because my parents wouldn't let me crank it unless they were gone. I rarely use EQ now. I'm a firm believer in selecting good speakers and placing them properly.
It also helps that I now have two powered subs. I can get reasonable bass without cranking the mains.

 

[chefg1]

i find the more power the less need for loudness, just clean sound of flat

 

[jami w.]

wow this thread just got dug up from the dead lol

 

[Urizen]

Dead polls and forums are hard to revive.

 

[Jody Thornton]

Glad you dug up the thread!

No I hate loudness. I prefer the ones that boost high and low frequencies at low volumes. But most of the ones I've used just boost the mid-bass (say 70-150 Hz). Too boomy sounding.

 

[s-petersen]

yes

 

[Deacon Jubal]

Back when I had receivers with loudness control. I was still living at home. My bedroom was in the basement under my parents bedroom, so I had to keep the volume low. When they went out, I would turn the volume up, flip loudness off, and usually tweeked a little with the bass & treble controls.

 

[Gregoire]

Almost always, mainly because I listen at low levels most of the time

 

[michaelhigh]

I always use loudness, tone controls, occasionally EQ's, especially with my PA's, as I usually listen at relatively quiet levels unless I'm doing sound for a rock band. I still use them then too.