When listening to AM, FM, XM, and CDs I usually have my volume control set to level 6 or 7. Sometimes I have to boost it up to 10 or 12 when travelling on a very rough road which creates lots of road noise. However, when listening to my only DVD-A, Telarcs 1812 Overture (a two-sided disc) I have to kick the volume up to 23 or 25 just to hear it at what I think are normal levels. Is this a characteristic of DVD-As or is the disc I have just an anomaly? Any thoughts will be appreciated.

 

i think something is wrong with your system, i don't have to go about 2-4

 

Nothing is wrong.
I have mine at 29-35 almost every day to have a fun.

 

I noticed that same thing in my TL, audio is fine for XM, CD, AM/FM and Cassette but dor DVD-A I need to go above 20! I am glad to find out that I am not the only one, DH always accuses me of "blasting" the volume.

 

Maybe its a characteristic of the DVD-A format...........I really don't know as I have only the one disc. I have emailed Telarc to see if they had any explanation.

 

The same thing happens to me within formats. For instance, there can be and often is a significant volume difference between some XM stations.

 

Well, I may have an answer. As I said, I emailed Telarc and received a reply. The chief engineer from Telarc said that the Acura's audio system was optimized for pop music and did not have the capability to handle wide dynamic range music as is found in classical recordings. He further stated that DVD systems now being designed for Mercedes and Porsche are going to have the same limitation. I guess Acura saved a nickle at the expense of classical music on DVDs.

 

That seems a bit off. I was going to answer that, because DVD-A can support a wider dynamic range than even CD, it's a good format for dynamic music such as classical. The reason you have to turn it up so much is because the recording you're listening to has preserved the dynamic range of the original music. In order for any music, regardless of genre, to fit within a dynamic range, the average level has to be less than the peak level. The more dynamic the music, the lower the average level. This means you need to turn it up more to perceive the same average volume. Pop music tends to have an average level near the peak level, making it sound very loud at the peril of dynamics. Radio stations (AM/FM/satellite) compress the dynamic range in order to make it sound louder, overcome road noise in the most common listening environments (cars), and, in the case of digital satellite, to reduce the number of bits needed to convey the signal. By 'dynamic compression,' I'm not refering to data compression, but a reduced dynamic range doesn't require as large a wordsize as is available on DVD-A (24 bit). Most pop music mastered these days tends to have a dynamic range of around 3-9 dB, whereas 24-bit DVD-A is capable of more than 144 dB. A classical performance is likely around 60-80 dB of dynamic range. Here are some dynamic ranges vs. bit depth:

8-bit: 48 dB
16-bit: 96 dB
24-bit: 144 dB

If a playback system is optimized for pop music instead of classical, you'd find that it is probably EQ'd in a way to hype the bass and treble, but there should be no effect on volume settings or perceived loudness.

Edit: I have some DTS CDs and a couple DVD-A discs in my car. Those with wider dynamic ranges sound more quiet and require me to turn up the volume higher. I have a rock DVD-A that has little dynamic range and I generally keep it below 12-15 volume, just like any other CD or XM at freeway speed. It's not about genres; it's about dynamic range and headroom.

 

Bluenoise.......Thanks for the great explanation. Your comments in combination from the info I received from Telarc now make sense to me. I was concerned that something might be technically amiss, but I am now comfortable with just raising the audio level and enjoying the music. Cheers.

 

Without disagreeing with the explanations above, which are terrific, I think part of it is that particular DVD-A as well. Telarc recordings are known for having extremely great dynamic range with no or minimal compression, so the early quiet portions on the 1812 Overture play a LOT quieter than the end.

How did the cannons do with the volume cranked up so loud? I'd be afraid of blowing out a speaker when those things start firing.


With all of that said, I've noticed that the new XM baseball talk channel (175) requires the volume to be a lot louder than other XM channels.

 

[QUOTE=1995hoo]



How did the cannons do with the volume cranked up so loud? I'd be afraid of blowing out a speaker when those things start firing.

I think it would be an understatement to say that the cannon shots get your attention. I have listened to them at level 30 and they are VERY loud, but didn't adversely affect my speakers. But that was just a test and I doubt I would go any higher. Normally, for that recording my comfort level is about 25 or 26. For all other stuff, 6 or 7 is just fine for me. This Telarc recording is just fabulous especially when coupled with the Acura audio system. The cannon blasts seem to come from all corners of the car, randomly and successively. It's a fun experience.

 

No kidding! I have had that recording on SACD for some time and I've played it loud at home. It's the one that comes out to show off the stereo to visitors. I got the DVD-A so I could try it in the TL but was afraid to crank the cannons up very loud. Now I may have to try it this weekend. Thanks.