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

[eastangliauk]

Now & again if its say something really old with no bass in I watch like say Little House on the Prairie. My AVR 2310 has Dynamic EQ which seems to up the bass much more so guess this is the loudness button.

 

[operaman]

Yes, I'm often listening at low levels (urban apartment)

 

[Northwinds]

Nope, no tone controls either for many years with my main system. Out in the garage it varies on what is being used. I do use an EQ once in a while, mainly for CD sources to help tame redbricks

 

[jk0592]

Never, never used it, useless control for me.

 

[Coytee]

In my past, I have used variable loudness (Yamaha CR), I have used dynamic range expanders (3bx and 5bx) I have used equalizers (Audio Control C-101, dbx 15/10) and I have used subharmonic synthesizers (dbx 100 and forget the other model)

Many units have a tape loop system that allows you to bypass the above stuff if someone wants to get stuffy about it. It allows you to bring them back in the path if you want to mess around and have fun.

This hobby is about having fun and enjoying yourself not (in my opinion) breaking into a nervous sweat every time you try to count the shimmers of a cymbol....

I sometimes appreciate that I must have a tin ear. I just try to enjoy what I'm hearing and not let these other distractions bother me.

:thmbsp:

 

[BobHol]

In my man cave
EPI 200's get a bit shrill and bright. The loudness control on my Yammy cr-2040 does a great job of taming the top end.

 

[91r100gs]

The EQ has been removed from my main system. I was only using it to shape the bass for my odd room, on rare occasions. If the bass needs adjustment I do it on the back of the sub.

Tone controls are used when needed, note that my pre-amp has no loudness control. An example is a nice album or CD that is a bit thin (lacking bass), or a bit shrill. IMW not all records are perfect, much less mastered perfectly. I probably listen with no tone control of any sort 95% of the time.

 

[operaman]

If I leave the eq flat, and use no loudness switch, does this do the same thing as a button that "defeats" the Eq? If no, why?

 

[BLAH BLAH]

Permanently ON...:thmbsp:

 

[BMWCCA]

At low volume levels, yes. That's what it's for! Unless your ears are different than the characteristic human, you might want to use it, too.

 

[Dr Morbius]

Never had to use it, s'alls I sayin.

 

[Tedrick]

My pre-amps don't even have a loudness switch. Wouldn't use it if they did.

 

[Thunderbox]

I use the loudness only when listening at low volumms. When it is played loudly I shut it off.

 

[Grizzog]

Don't currently have one, but no need with 100db Altecs. They seem to retain depth at any volume.

 

[Reg's Audio]

I only use it when I have to have the volume REALLY low.

 

[Edwin Powell]

It depends on what I'm listening to—both music and hardware. My new Sony has a loudness button but the JVC in the living room doesn't. That said, I put it on when I'm listening to rock & roll and want the bass to thump a little more, especially at lower volume levels, but I leave it off when listening to classical or jazz.

 

[ColinP]

Let's be honest here, loudness button switched on adds more oomph and realism. I have a dedicated music room, fully soundproofed with room treatments at 1st reflection points etc...speakers are 15" Tannoy HPD's...vintage Marantz and Sansui receivers from early to mid 70's used as pre-amps into a Prima Luna valve amp. Do I use tone controls?you betcha except at louder than usual listening levels in which case loudness button is off.

 

[harman/kardon]

Perhaps the "contour" button on my 1958 TA230 is a sort of antique "loudness" button. However, I use that one regularly (at low volume mode) in connection with my 1959 Bang&Olufsen speakers.

 

[KarlK]

In my experience the need for loudness at low levels varies with speaker efficiency. For some reason low-efficiency speakers still have "oomph" at low volume.

 

[HypnoCoosh]

Depends on media format and recording.