Topic: Feature request: display the true output volume

I recently got an ADI Pro SE 2/4 and I'm loving it so far!

One thing that I miss from my Qudelix 5K is that I can input the impedance and sensitivity of my headphones and the Qudelix will display the current volume as well as the max volume. They also display the millivolts being pushed into the headphones as well.

I think this is a really great feature especially for beginners because it helps me build an intuition about what volume is too loud.

I'd really like to see this added to the ADI series if possible!

Re: Feature request: display the true output volume

I can also provide more information and some screenshots of the Qudelix app!

3 (edited by KaiS 2023-12-12 18:41:48)

Re: Feature request: display the true output volume

SETUP / Options / Display / Hor. Meter: Post-FX dbu
shows the output voltage in dBu.
(0 dBu = -2.2 dBV)

Now you need to know you‘re ‘phones voltage sensitivity, like 102 dB SPL / V for the Sennheiser HD-800.
This is 100 dB SPL @ 0dBu (@ 1 kHz).
(I can calculate the voltage sensitivity for your specific ’phones).

Now you can read the Peak SPL of your ‘phone, but only at the specified frequency, typically 1 kHz.
e.g.: -10 dBu = 90 dB SPL Peak.


Unfortunately hearing loss is caused by the the long term avarage SPL, not so much from the momentary peak, and heaphones are non-linaer across their frequency band.
So finally this all doesn’t help much.


To stay away from hearing hearing loss causing levels:
Listen so that the singer in the song does not sounds much louder than typical human talking.

Re: Feature request: display the true output volume

Thank you! This is very helpful.

What's the formula to convert x dB/1mW to x dB SPL/V?

I'm using a pair of LCD-5s which are 90dB/1mW as well as a pair of IE600s. I'm not sure about the IE600 specs though. I see "Maximum SPL: 118 dB at 1kHz" in [1] but I'm not sure if that's helpful at all.

Also, great tip about intuitive listening levels!

[1] https://the-ear.net/review-hardware/sen … eadphones/

5 (edited by KaiS 2023-12-16 18:49:34)

Re: Feature request: display the true output volume

AUDEZE LCD-5 specs:
Sensitivity: 90 dB/mW (= 0.001 W for 90 dBSPL)
Impedance: 14 Ohm


Voltage for 90 dB: sqrt (14 Ohm x 0.001 W) = 0.118 V

0.118 V in dBu:
20 x (log (0.118 V / 0.775 V)) = –16.3 dBu (for 90 dB SPL) (ear healthy level).

Voltage in dBu for 100 dB SPL:
-16.3 dBu + 100 dBSPL – 90 dBSPL = –6,3 dBu (for 100 dBSPL) (too loud for long term listening).


REMARK:
• dBu reference voltage = 1 mW into 600 Ohm = ca. 0.775 V (exact: sqrt 0.6 V)
• V = Volt
• W = Watt
• dBSPL = deciBel Sound Pressure Level

• 100 dBSPL Peak very loosely equals about 85 dBSPL Average with typical contemporary music.


80 dBSPL Average is the highest safe ear-healthy-long-term listening level.
But - headphones listening has more upper frequency content than typical environmental sounds.

So staying another 5 dB clear of the 80 dB SPL Average margin would be a good idea, -> 90 dBSPL is a good Peak listening level.


With contemporary music:
SETUP /Options / Display / Hor. Meter: Post-FX dbu
would read about -16 dBu on the ADI-2 meters.

With jazz or classic you can go 5-10 dB higher.

Re: Feature request: display the true output volume

Sorry, I must've missed the email notification for your response. This is super helpful, thank you!