At Walt Disney Concert Hall tonight with Zubin Mehta conducting Symphonie Fantastique I measured in the front orchestra row in a dead center seat SPL routinely at 85dB to 95dB, peaking at 100dB.
So this is actual big symphony orchestra concert SPL.
At what SPL do you listen to big symphony orchestra classical music?
That's about where I listen, typically when it comes to big symphony orchestra's, but it is also recording dependent. <<< Big factor.
Regardless of the genre or performance, I try to match the volume level to where it would be, if I were at the venue or recording studio, listening live. For example, I may listen to big symphony orchestra at this level but there would be no way that I would ever listen to a solo guitarist, violinist or harpist at that level.
Typically and across all genre's, my typical SPL at the listening position averages around 78-80db. More or less, depending on things (some recordings are higher SPL or softer/older recordings than others, so I adjust accordingly) but when something extremely well recorded comes along with a great musical selection with a plethora of instruments? All rules are gone. I'll listen to it right up to the point to where the room overloads or the sound degrades (
if only even a little bit), regardless of what the SPL level is or becomes. Then I'll turn it down one notch and enjoy the selection/album.
Tom