Topic: can the ADI-2's dBu meter be used to determine safe listening volume?
Hello, I'm very much enjoying the RME ADI-2 Pro, but sometimes after a long listening session I notice some mild ringing in my ears (thankfully temporary so far). This has led me to be quite concerned with my listening levels as I would like not to damage my hearing.
Now to the question: I noticed that the display options can be set such that the level meter displays Post-FX dBu.
I did an example calculation by taking this level and calculating the corresponding spl:
For me a comfortable listening level with my DCA Stealth was -30 dBu on the level meter in balanced phone mode.
.775*10^(-30/20) ~ .0245 V, which at 23 ohms is 1 mA of current and .025 mW of power.
At 86 dB/mW we obtain 86 + 10 log(.025) ~ 70 db spl
According to these calculations for a listening volume of 80dB spl I would be able to go up until the level meter shows -20!
Before I start doing so however, I hope some of you may chime in on whether the above method is actually accurate.
If it is, then the output level meters of the ADI-2 are an extremely useful feature for people that want to protect their hearing!