Dangerous Horn Speaker SPLs: How Best to Protect Your Hearing?

[ajant]

My biggest safety concern with horn speakers and super tweeters is protecting against unexpected peaks in program material. My room is 20 ft x 11 ft-then across a 4 ft wide hallway and into a 9 ft x 8 kitchen. A triangular ceiling that peaks at 11 ft is above everything. I plan to sit 11 ft from speakers with mid horn/driver and tweeter like these, but minus the back loaded horn. https://josephcrowe.com/products/speaker-system-no-2095

These woofers playing down to ~ 55Hz.

Below those I have two or three of these subs to use. https://www.rythmikaudio.com/F12.html

All music sources and movies (DVD, BD) are pc-based, with JRiver being my primary Windows player. Whether I use a stereo or DAC to first measure and correct the room acoustically as best I can-or then attempt further correction via a MCH DAC (e.g. https://www.merging.com/products/interfaces/hapi )-I was assured by Hapi users that I can control master volume and mute via a wireless Windows keyboard.

Having a lightweight keyboard on my lap for volume/mute is one thing, but it's those split second SPL blasts from movies, that all too often crop up in movies that can hit your ears, which literally terrifies me-as it should anyone who values their hearing (??!!). So, what's the best solution to provide instantaneous protection against dangerous SPLs while preserving audio quality (resolution)?

Some kind of limiter plug-in?? What would be best? But how fast and precise can it limit SPLs? And what sonic penalties might I pay for using it?

 

[Robh3606]

I don't really understand what you are worried about? Those short term peaks are not the worry it's the long time average SPL
My HT mains are a 4 way active set up. I can hit 115 dB peaks with relative ease. No issues at all too loud turn it down. Invest in an SPL meter to play it safe

Rob

 

[LL21]

I am no Otolaryngologist, but dropping a fork on a granite tile floor can hit 110-120db instantaneous peaks. Clapping your hands, a standing ovation at a concert are long (but not really), going to a football stadium where everyone is cheering.

I think if your average db rating is rational, should be fine. We listen at the lower end, but fortunately the system noise floor is very low so dont mind 50-60db average. Movie's louder but not substantially.

Many hear listen regularly at closer to 75-80db avg. Instantaneous peaks can go 20-25db or more above the average.

 

[Robh3606]

Out of curiosity do you have a late night mode in your software. I have that available as an option in my pre-pro for late night listening that limits the dynamic range. That would compress the peaks and limit them.

Rob