LVMAN777 358 Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 "...Speaker Manual Warning Hearing damage was even more of a concern for me when designing the new McIntosh XR speakers. When the ML speakers were being designed in 1968, the McIntosh MC2105 power amplifier was also in the design stages. That was 100 watts per channel and was a lot of power for a home amplifier at this time. I used a prototype to drive the ML's to be sure they would handle the power of this newer and bigger amplifier with no problem. The ML-4's could produce a listening level of about 106 dB at 4 feet. When I started the new XR series, the MC2300 amplifier was available. It could deliver 300 watts per channel. That's a 5dB increase, or about 111dB for the ML-4's. For me, this was extremely loud in our 3600 cubic foot listening room. Recordings could then be played much louder than real life, which some customers seemed to prefer. Rock music at live concerts is known to reach levels of 120db or higher. A level of 120db is one acoustic watt and is at the threshold of pain. I wrote a note on the first page of the manuals for the new XR speakers that said: CAUTION: CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO HIGH SOUND LEVELS (90 DB AND OVER ON THE "A" SCALE SLOW RESPONSE) COULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO A PERSON'S HEARING) Since no other company was putting warnings in their speaker manuals, It could have been misinterpreted that McIntosh speakers were harmful to hearing and thus creating negative sales. The statement was dropped by management in later system manuals..." http://www.roger-russell.com/hearing/hearing.htm
Gene C 1,753 Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 Does anyone have these speakers here? Were you a speaker salesman LVMAN777? Been seeing a lot of speaker ads posted by you lately. 1
LVMAN777 358 Posted March 10, 2015 Author Posted March 10, 2015 "Manager" "STEREO WORLD" Cheyenne, Wyoming 1975 Phase Linear Dealer Sold PL 700/400 (Owned PL 400) "Guilty As Charged"
Gene C 1,753 Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 "Manager" "STEREO WORLD" Cheyenne, Wyoming 1975 Phase Linear Dealer Sold PL 700/400 (Owned PL 400) "Guilty As Charged" LMFAO! Makes more sense now. Just don't start posting old ads from the store you used to work at, Lee might have a conniption fit. 1
LVMAN777 358 Posted March 10, 2015 Author Posted March 10, 2015 The "WARNING" Post is just that... I went into "Magnetic Recorders" in Hollywood about 25 years ago and heard that 300 wpc Mac... into Bose 901's... "DANGEROUS" TO YOUR HEARING WHEN "CRANKED"
danowood 2,167 Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 "Manager" "STEREO WORLD" Cheyenne, Wyoming 1975 Phase Linear Dealer Sold PL 700/400 (Owned PL 400) "Guilty As Charged" Hope you didn't have a "Party Barn" too!!! 1
danowood 2,167 Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 IMHO I think MCIntosh was just practicing CYA, which is reasonable in todays world. It wouldn't be unusual to see some blowing their ear drums out and then suing MCIntosh... Completely understandable. 1
LVMAN777 358 Posted March 10, 2015 Author Posted March 10, 2015 LMAO at the party barn! BarryG NEVER heard of a "Party Barn"...Had to "Look it up!" Used to drink at "The Bunkhouse" though! "... on Happy Jack Road between Laramie and Cheyenne, Wyoming..." http://www.bunkhousebar.com/
fill35U 1,848 Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 Thanks for the reminder and history note, LVMAN! An amp or source that is driven to clipping/heavy distortion will damage hearing just as readily as speakers, and for the same reasons. The average power output climbs quickly as the crest factor drops, and harmonics shift energy to higher frequencies where ears are more sensitive (and hearing ability is more critical). So having extra power is still a good thing, *if* you don't abuse it. However, several studies have shown that loud music can be an addiction like any other. In addition, undistorted music has a higher pain threshold, and as you go deaf you need to raise the level(or sit closer) to compensate. You may find yourself listening for longer or more often, and more exposure time increases hearing loss. Always watch that volume knob and how you listen! 1
zumbini 6,153 Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 Thanks for the reminder and history note, LVMAN! An amp or source that is driven to clipping/heavy distortion will damage hearing just as readily as speakers, and for the same reasons. The average power output climbs quickly as the crest factor drops, and harmonics shift energy to higher frequencies where ears are more sensitive (and hearing ability is more critical). So having extra power is still a good thing, *if* you don't abuse it. However, several studies have shown that loud music can be an addiction like any other. In addition, undistorted music has a higher pain threshold, and as you go deaf you need to raise the level(or sit closer) to compensate. You may find yourself listening for longer or more often, and more exposure time increases hearing loss. Always watch that volume knob and how you listen! Speak up Phil. I CAN'T HEAR YOU! 2
danowood 2,167 Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 LMAO at the party barn! BarryG NEVER heard of a "Party Barn"...Had to "Look it up!" LOL Lvman, it's an inside joke amoungst older members from past posts from a previous member....... All is good...... 1
fill35U 1,848 Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 Speak up Phil. I CAN'T HEAR YOU! Eh? Did you say something, Dom? Please type louder! I'm waiting for Bob to design an in-ear hearing aid. I want mine to have rack handles!
dcl 3,293 Posted March 10, 2015 Posted March 10, 2015 Thanks for the reminder and history note, LVMAN! An amp or source that is driven to clipping/heavy distortion will damage hearing just as readily as speakers, and for the same reasons. The average power output climbs quickly as the crest factor drops, and harmonics shift energy to higher frequencies where ears are more sensitive (and hearing ability is more critical). So having extra power is still a good thing, *if* you don't abuse it. However, several studies have shown that loud music can be an addiction like any other. In addition, undistorted music has a higher pain threshold, and as you go deaf you need to raise the level(or sit closer) to compensate. You may find yourself listening for longer or more often, and more exposure time increases hearing loss. Always watch that volume knob and how you listen! Undistorted is a revelation for many home listeners, for me anyway and possibly others. One value grasped from this community is: More power (more than you think is necessary) is a gateway to another appreciation. The cats, with theirs ears dialed backwards & eyes drawn to slits in displeasure, will alert (but not cancel)my excess. Perhaps they just do not cotton to the sonic assault. At least they are not under the sway of advertising bias? Gotta ask my wife.
DaveStL 85 Posted March 11, 2015 Posted March 11, 2015 The "WARNING" Post is just that... I went into "Magnetic Recorders" in Hollywood about 25 years ago and heard that 300 wpc Mac... into Bose 901's... "DANGEROUS" TO YOUR HEARING WHEN "CRANKED" <Insert tasteless Bose joke here (ears bleeding...)> It's all good. Still using the Advent 1's my wife bought new b/c the dealer told her they played loud. And yeah, your point is well taken--life is much better if you can hear the music, even if no-one else can.
oldtexasdog 2,492 Posted March 11, 2015 Posted March 11, 2015 Music's too Loud your too OLD!! Always have wanted one of those MC 275's though
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