[Jsonar] Setting Headphones Level Scientifically?

[Drew]

What SPL meter are you using?
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chris Smart" <chris_s at sympatico.ca>
To: <jsonar at jsonar.org>
Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 11:10 AM
Subject: [Jsonar] Setting Headphones Level Scientifically?


> Does anybody know how I can go about doing this?
> 
> Here's what I do for monitor level calibration through speakers:
> 
> 1. I play a sample of pink noise, since it has a flat frequency 
> response, that measures -20 dBFS RMS.  That is, the average 
> loudness is at -20 dBFS on a standard VU meter.  This puts the peak 
> around -8 dBFS.
> 
> 2.  Sitting in the sweet spot, I adjust monitor volume using an SPL 
> meter to determine when the level is at 83 dB.  This is thought to 
> be the ideal monitoring level by many people, since it is loud 
> enough to present flat frequency response to our ears (i.e. 
> Fletcher-Munson effect), but not high enough to cause damage over 
> prolonged listening sessions.
> 
> 3.  Since I have 7 or 8 dB of headroom, this means that things 
> approaching fullscale will be aroudn 90 dB - loud, but not loud 
> enough to damage.
> 
> Is there any way to measure SPL reliably with headphones?
> 
> Chris
> P.S. Noise sample at:
> http://www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/d27end 
> 
> 
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