Zeltar

Okay, I admit that most of the time, I prefer the sound of the rotary engine over the Stereo. But, this question has been rattling around in my head for a while now, and I figure one of you must know.

The stereo just has a number that reads 1 to something. The most I've ever turned it up is 15. What is the maximum number?

I ask because speakers have both Nominal and Maximum input ratings. Speakers are only capable of maintaining sound at Nominal input. Yet, most tend to mate maximum Stereo output capabilities with matching input maximums from speakers. If your choice in music only peaks briefly, but most of the time is considerably less amplified, then this might work. But, speaker manufactures recommend you never turn the volume more than half way up (or greater than Nominal input); thus avoiding the possibility of clipping your speakers (or blowing them).

Just curious! Someone know where the specs are on the web?

itsallaboutgary

the max is 32 =) i got kinda curious so i turned it up to max.

Vampyr

I must be going deaf because when I'm rolling on highway with windows and sunroof open I'm at high 20's and even 30. The max is 32.

It's not nearly as loud as you'd expect what with all the noise coming through the windows.

sean

Playing it at that maximum volume when its not recommended is very bad for your ears. The Decibel level is damaging to your ears, but the problem is that we get used to sound as it gets louder or softer. So gradually turning it up over time will have the effect of us getting used to the very loud levels, which over time will make us def. Thats why pretty much all stereo/speaker/whatever manufacturers recommend that you find a specific sound level and leave it there permanantly because they know you'll get used to the sound.

Speed-ER doc

Huh? :D

mikeb

I play mine 28 at loudest

flatso

mine goes to 11 :D

FirstSpin

I run mine at 8 if I wanna hear the engine, about 15 for around-town moon-roof-open conditions. Then again, I'm over 50, so this data is probably inconsequential

klegg

I am waiting for a s2000/g35/350z owner to point out that mazda lied about the stero settings, we are missing about 19 levels, EVERYONE knows the stero is supposed to go to 50...If we yell loud enough, maybe mazda will hear us over the maxed out steros, and will give us a flash that will increase the volume...

Bob The Eskimo

Now thats amusing.

18 is usual here with windows open.
14 closed cab.

never been to the max.

doccable

hmmm.... mine goes to 34, then MAX. Of course, I've never had the stereo turned up that loud, except for the purpose of this thread...

OverLOAD

I think it makes a big difference depending on the recording (CD) or radio station volume level, but I find 14 to be a good volume most of the time.

when I want it to be loud, about 17 or 18 does the trick (with CD's).

With my Archos jukebox with the Rockbox firmware installed, and connected directly into the head unit directly, I can make volume level 12 sound as loud as 18, with the rockbox volume only on 87%.. Via the older tape hack I had done, I used to get massive clipping way before that point, and I usually had to leave the mp3 player plugged in at around 78 to 80% volume, with the Head Unit on between 16 to 19 to get a decent sound level.

with a "Normalized" Test CD, of a pure sine-wave at 1kHz (about maximum subjective hearing volume) you could really do a comparison to see if it was just you, or the source you're listening to.

Regards,

OverLOAD

MrWigggles

Mine goes to 34 then max. For new CD's I never listen that loud but for a lot of my older CD that aren't recorded at the full 0dbFS, I do sometimes get to 34 but it is very rare.

-Mr. Wigggles

nt5k

20s, 30s? You guys need to see an ear doctor..

Mine never goes above 7-8..

D MENAC 7

OK, we know it gets above 34 but what about the low point? Being 47, I no longer have the dog's hearing capabilities, I have only went into the upper 20's on my own to see how loud it went. However, I don't listen to some of the levels some of you have mentioned.

I listen to newer rock such as Seether, POD, Puddle of Mud, Static-X, etc. on my local FM station. Maybe that's why I hardly ever go above 10 or 11 if I am in the car alone.

CDs are appreciabley slightly lower because they tend to be louder due to radio stations using compression while playing music.

I want to know if everyone has experienced the big drop off between 3 going to 2?

For me, 3 is almost too loud for a conversation with the passenger but going to 2, I can't hardly hear that it's on. Too bad there isn't a more gradual drop in volume.

I've go to keep it around 5 to hear my engine.

Thanks for the "Mine goes to 11" comment Flatso, I immediately recognized a Spinal Tap reference.

MrWigggles

What do you drive in a school zone all day?

-Mr. Wigggles

S3/P3/E2

"Well, it's one louder isn't it?"

fxdsconv2000

Depending on the CD and how I've EQ'd it.
I re-record all of my CD's for the best sound with the stock stereo. I normally run mine at 15-22. I have been to max a more than once

Astor

I am a rocker from about 13 years old, (Many Metal bands) I've always played loud, If I am in the mood, and I can keep it sounding clear, I go to max, I'm not into heavy hitting bass. I like the kick drum to blend and I like to hear clarity in the bass guitar. I usually keep the bass at 2 and the treble at 0 in this situation. And yes I know my hearing is probably shot, the only reason I still hear well is I've trained my ears in the studio to hear certain frequencies. However I conceed that I'm far worse off than I would be because of it. Also it I record a CD of mp3's I have to either EQ it on the pc to get it loud enough, or Max sounds like a manufactured CD at about 16.

I listen to Tool, Soundgarden, Puddle of Mudd, Nothingface, A Perfect Circle, the occasional Korn.

Efini 8

I listen to a lot of Rap, Metal, Techno, whatevers... nothing really soft. Really never been over 22... wondered what the highest rating was... but never went there... I usually do 20 if I want to really get into the music, but 15 is most likely the best for my daily driving. I used to have 3 x 12" JL Audio Subwoofers and man, after a while, increasing the volume is just ridiculous!

93rdcurrent

I listen to music mainly around 25+ depending on what I am listening to. I don't know about most speaker manufacturers but I do know that the OZ seperates I had in my MR2 and the Focal seperates I had in my M3 didn't recommend that and good for them becuase I wouldn't have listened to them anyway.

Astor

Actually, the sound does decrease in volume over time played, it happens on guitar amps all the time, It's called RMS and I believe it is because as the amp gets hotter, the volume has to be brought down. Even though this is something I've read about a long time ago, I don't remember all the principles that make it work.

Astor

And yes, at that those dB's they are harmful to your ears, especially high frequencies and extremely low ones (hip hop & guitar solos, {and Mariah Carey}) Say goodbye to hearing anything above 15-16K

jdaled

Don't forget that the bass and treble settings will greatly affect how loud the music is at any given volume setting. A volume of 10, with bass and treble at +6 might sound like an 18 or more with bass/treble at 0. (No, I haven't tested those specific numbers, just referencing a concept )

Astor

It's called the Fletcher Munson curve, it's how the bass and treble increase at a greater rate relative to volume, and why you have to turn the bass and treble up at no volume, I retract my above statement about the Max and leaving bass at 2, I pretty much have to 0 everything out to have it sound clear.