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View Full Version : Hi fi vs. Lo fi sound

cdb
08-29-2006, 10:18 PM
It seems to me that exposure to lo-fi sound for short periods of time, vs longer exposure to a hi-fi sound system is very detrimental to the ears. Examples::

a 90 minute assembly at the elementary school, in the gym, thru crap speakers, vs a 4 day music festy thru a Meyers sound system at many times the volume.

Which one do you think made my ears ring??

What is it, exactly, about lo-fi sound that kills the ears at low volume??
Nate42
08-29-2006, 10:23 PM
Well, in the case of crappy voice system, they often use excessive volume as a misguided attempt to compensate for the overal crapiness of the sound. Which in turn frequently introduces unpleasant high frequency distortion.

As a general rule, low frequencies hurt your ears less than high screechy ones.
mnemosyne's lobotomy
08-29-2006, 10:35 PM
Reliance on accentuating frequencies that make the sound stand out (treble) instead of a flat, pure frequency response.
The Lurker
08-29-2006, 11:05 PM
Well, what are you considering low-fi? Just weak and fuzzy or overloud and distorted, or full of rattling clanging echoes that hit you from all directions?

It's the echoing bit that really drives me mad......:mad:
bnyswonger
08-30-2006, 01:14 AM
I know exactly what you're talking about. It's very fatiguing to listen to music that is coming through a system that has nothing above 3 or 4K - and a lot of club systems are like that. I don't know why, buy if it goes all the way up it's much easier to tolerate higher SPLs.
Inazone
08-30-2006, 01:33 AM
As a general rule, low frequencies hurt your ears less than high screechy ones.

Very true.
Its much easier to listen to your buddy nag at you for getting mud in his truck vs listening to your girlfriend nag at you about taking out the trash.:P :D
bassesofalessergod
08-30-2006, 08:37 AM
no entiendo.:(
Rusty the Scoob
08-30-2006, 09:23 AM
I agree with nate and doctor lobotmo, but BobN has a good point too, although those clubs with with sub 3-4k systems always tend to blast the hell out of those low frequencies in my opinion.

I think it just boils down to clear, full frequency systems can be played at half the volume and deliver the same information and with more presence.
ModmanQ6
08-30-2006, 10:48 AM
I know exactly what you're talking about. It's very fatiguing to listen to music that is coming through a system that has nothing above 3 or 4K - and a lot of club systems are like that. I don't know why, buy if it goes all the way up it's much easier to tolerate higher SPLs.
The club systems like that probably have blown diaphragms in their horns and don't know it... or the mass of bodies is absorbing the highs before they can reach your ears... or you're just getting old and can't hear in those higher registers unless they are cranked up...:P
cdb
08-30-2006, 10:55 AM
The club systems like that probably have blown diaphragms in their horns and don't know it... or the mass of bodies is absorbing the highs before they can reach your ears... or you're just getting old and can't hear in those higher registers unless they are cranked up...:P

What? Huh? Speak up, son...
Les Izzmor
08-30-2006, 10:59 AM
Chuck. Did you forget to take your Geritol?
cdb
08-30-2006, 11:01 AM
Chuck. Did you forget to take your Geritol?

I'm afraid so...And my Carters Little Liver pills too...
Sunken
08-30-2006, 11:14 AM
Hi Fi:

http://www.greasyelbow.com/korea/waryong/dogs05.jpg


Lo Fi:

http://www.sfgate.com/n/pictures/2005/08/23/lowfive12.jpg

I donīt know much about the difference in sound though.:smack: