How loud do you listen to music on your iPod or laptop with headphones?

[dotdotdot]

After seeing people listening to their iPods and music from their MacBooks at insanely high volume levels, it made me wonder how loud people generally listen to their iPods and iTunes.

I generally listen to my iPod at around 40-70% of the volume bar, with 70% being reserved for airplanes or incredibly noisy environments. On average, I listen to my iPod at around 45% of the full volume capacity.

On my MacBook, I listen to music with the keyboard volume slider showing just 1 filled in box, and iTunes set to half-volume.

How loud do you guys listen to your music?

Edit: Should have mentioned, I meant with headphones, as the internal laptop speakers are weak and external speakers can have volume controls, etc.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

Umm... there is no way to really make this thread useful for a couple of reasons:
A. Different CDs have naturally different volumes
B. Different headphones, for example, on my iPhone and SE530s are 75%, if I ever use Apple headphones for whatever reasons, I would never do that with Apple headphones.

I listen at 40% on my MacBook Pro with Shure SE530s, but I mainly use a variety of headphone amps and USB controllers.

 

[jmann]

Here:

 

[techfreak85]

most people who listen to music wont use the internal speakers.
but to answer ur question, i usualy listen not to loud but not to soft. tiny bit louder then the usual conversation.

 

[fireshot91]

Matters on this:


Time of day/night
What song
What mood I'm in
If anybody else is sleeping
If I'm home alone
Headphones

 

[dotdotdot]

Umm... there is no way to really make this thread useful for a couple of reasons:
A. Different CDs have naturally different volumes
B. Different headphones, for example, on my iPhone and SE530s are 75%, if I ever use Apple headphones for whatever reasons, I would never do that with Apple headphones.

Well, while no two people will have the exact same setup, identifying a similar source (iPod, MacBook) will have somewhat similar audio output, and generally music is around a certain volume. If someone had Sound Check turned on, I'd imagine that it would be an identical setup, but maybe not.

And yes, the headphones matter as well, but again, unless someone is using hard to drive phones, the sound output will be somewhat similar.

 

[CaptMurdock]

Podcasts: about 75% volume
Music: on average, about 60%

It used to be higher, but I recently replaced my earphones. The new ones kick serious tochis.

 

[techfreak85]

as i said, most people who listen to music on their computers don't listen threw their internals.
when people have external speakers on their computers, they set the computers volume and the speaker's volume.
it is very unlikely that people will have a "similar audio output" when using external speakers. the only way this thread would work the way u inteded is if people measured/posted in Decibels.
im guessing most people dont have a sound meter at home... unless ur a musician/engeneer and need it for work, and to check sound levels to not annoy/get in trouble by the neighbors.

 

[OutThere]

1, maybe 2 'bars' on the computer with iPod headphones or my Sony in-ear noise canceling headphones. 50% walking around outside on my iPod, 0-10% sitting around inside. -40db on my sound system.

 

[toxictrix]

just loud enough to be over the outside noise. Usually not very loud at all...

 

[iToaster]

Around 70% (varies from song to song) on my iPhone with my Apple in-ears, standard Apple headphones are around 50%.

 

[techfreak85]

@OP,
ok i just read ur edit that makes more since. like 3 or 4 or 5 bars.

 

[Krafty]

Full blast.

 

[dmr727]

An iPod or MBP can't drive my headphones properly even at full blast, so I have an external amp help me out a bit. Point is, like others have mentioned - it depends on the setup.

That said, I probably listen to music at a level that's higher than normal and/or reasonable.

 

[Furi Kuri]

I usually listen to music about 60% on my iphone and ipod, but I listen to music really loud in my car.

 

[Xavier]

I listen to my iPod Touch with the volume over half way.

And I can still hear wind when riding.

 

[jmann]

Full blast.

That's the only way to rock out!

 

[Krafty]

That's the only way to rock out!

Pretty much, my friends always yell at me cause they think I'm making them look stupid by yelling my name out and me not hearing them or I'm pissed and ignoring them for some non-existent reason.

 

[ucfgrad93]

I don't listen too loudly. I don't want to damage my ears.

 

[maflynn]

40 to 50% at the highest level and that's in the subway.

I wonder about people who have their airbuds turned all the way up. For instance, I'm able to hear someone's music (over mine) in the subway about 15 feet away. Its so loud its almost distorted and its all pouring into his airs.

 

[conch575]

Depends how loud the background noise is. On my iPod at school in a quiet class I'll probably have it under half way high. If it is noisy, I will have it max. When using my MacBook I usually have it half way, higher/lower depending on the noise.

 

[Melrose]

The volume on my notebook is 3/4 bars, and the volume in iTunes is at about 80%.

I typically keep it down a bit, 'cept when I'm in the car all by my lonesome, then it's up quite a bit louder. Not obnoxiously loud, tho.

 

[0098386]

I like to keep my computer music fairly quiet just incase anyone is trying to shout me or if a phone rings.
But out and about on the iPod I have it high enough to hear. So walking on the moors it's quiet but on the bus it's fairly loud. Never maximum. I do value my ear drums after all.

 

[farkasam]

Hmm, earphones

If you have a sweet pair of noise reducing/canceling headphones (i like the sennheiser CXL 400's), then you can get away with waaaaayyy lower volumes, which is probably better for your ears.