How loud should you listen to classical music?

[Scuzzer]

I normally listen to classical music late at night when everyone here is asleep so it's typically at very low volume. Today my 7 year old son requested I play Knee 1 off of Einstein at the Beach at high volume and I enjoyed it so much I've been listening to a bunch of different stuff at or above concert level (Mrs. Scuzzer is out of town). Just curious if other folks find classical to be something to crank.

 

[marqueemoon]

I can't stand classical at background music levels.

 

[kpaxfaq]

It's no different than any other music IMO. If it's something to set the tone or mood it's low level background music. If it's a piece that is currently truly inspiring to me I'll crack it!!

 

[Scuzzer]

I'm heading into the Glass Violin Concerto #2 at 100dB plus, I wonder what Gorecki #3 will sound like at that volume.

 

[Mr. Lin]

Interesting thread topic Scuzzer. I think it needs to be at least loud enough that the quiet passages are clearly audible, otherwise it turns into background music.

With chamber music, most of what I listen to, it can be reasonably loud, but with major orchestra pieces you want to have it cranked if possible to really experience the dynamic range and challenge your system.

 

[tubed]

I suppose a record label stating Play It Loud would not seem appropriate for a Classical album but I was suprised to hear that Classical musicians suffer significant hearing loss.
Back in the day I remember reading a review that this one concert was at least as loud(in part) as a Led Zepplin concert.

 

[Scuzzer]

I'm somewhat of a chamber guy so I don't find it as exhilarating to crank it. But the violin concertos seem to come alive at full bore. Like listening to a guy wail on lead guitar.

I really don't think there are too many lead guitarists that could play Glass's Violin Concerto though.

 

[Mr. Lin]

I'm somewhat of a chamber guy so I don't find it as exhilarating to crank it. But the violin concertos seem to come alive at full bore. Like listening to a guy wail on lead guitar.

The volume tends to be more linear with chamber music, so you just find a good setting and leave it alone.

 

[Scuzzer]

It's a BBC recording from earlier this year so I'm headed in Gorecki #3 thinking that volume probably won't help this piece but the early deep bass is moving in more ways than emotional.

 

[Designdweeb]

I listen to classical music loud enough to be able to follow the lines played by individual groups of instruments, and even instrumentalists, if possible. That's surprisingly loud to most people, but it is how loud a live orchestra really sounds.
That's not to say I sometimes listen at low levels, but that's harder for me, not the best way, for me to concentrate and hear what's going on.
My ex thought (and still thinks) I'm crazy to ever want music to compete with the level of conversation -her conversations, especially, just in case there was something to be said. She's not alone in her opinion, I've found, so mostly, I happily listen alone these days!

 

[RichPA]

When I'm not constrained by the need to keep it quiet for the sake of others in the house, I play classical music at a volume approximating how it would sound in concert (from our typical seats). So of course it varies depending on what I'm playing.

 

[juncers]

I was curious about this question a few years back, so I took a SPL meter to the Barbican where the LSO were playing a typical orchestral selection. I had 12th row center seats. The results surprised me as it was less loud than I expected.

Average volume roughly 70 db
Fortissimos to 105
Pianissimos barely broke 45db

Ray

 

[spideyjack]

Gary, that is a great question. The dynamics involved in classical recordings can vary and I don't want to strain to hear any of the good parts, so sometimes I will even start a record over at a higher volume if I think I am going to miss the soft passages.

 

[hifi_nut]

Great topic.
Im really interested in hearing your opinion, guys, as I find I have no rule of thumb on this one, it varies a lot with my mood, basically.

 

[guiller]

My standard choice is to listen at concert levels, and that applies also to chamber music, lieder and piano or solo instruments. If the level is too high, I feel unconfortable very soon, and if it is very low many sounds remain hidden.

 

[qdrone]

Interesting thread topic Scuzzer. I think it needs to be at least loud enough that the quiet passages are clearly audible, otherwise it turns into background music.



With chamber music, most of what I listen to, it can be reasonably loud, but with major orchestra pieces you want to have it cranked if possible to really experience the dynamic range and challenge your system.

+1. Nothing worse than being in another room while lisening to classical and then having to come out to see if something has gone wrong with your system because you can't hear the quiet passages. :yes:

 

[superdog]

When I'm not constrained by the need to keep it quiet for the sake of others in the house, I play classical music at a volume approximating how it would sound in concert (from our typical seats). So of course it varies depending on what I'm playing.

That about does it for me.

 

[Infinitoid]

Most of the seats I get for the symphony are 2nd balcony, and the volume isn't near to what one would experience on the main floor or dress circle. Rarely go to chamber music concerts. So here at home everything is played at pretty much realistic levels. String quartets are never too loud, but Mahler symphonies can get pretty visceral, when I pretend to have those "I'm the conductor" seats.

 

[Art K.]

I listen to everything quietly. Rarely more than 90db and in the nearfield now. With Harbeth speakers you can hear all of the detail in the quiet passages even when played very quietly.

 

[reggaenaut]

I am constrained by the people in my home plus my neighbor not to play my music loud. Over time I have collected units to make near field listening a pleasure.