Shannon's Journal Discussion Thread, Vol. 5

[Shannon]

When I say 13/15 I mean "playing from the onboard speaker of an Android phone.  14/16 on iPhone, or 26/30 on a Google phone (I think it was Google phone) is the equivalent.  Whatever the volume is at the speaker, that is the volume you want to use on whatever other player/external speakers if possible.  The exception is headphones or earbuds.  I don't use those, so I haven't figured out the optimal volume for them.  But it would be way too loud on headphones or earbuds at 13/15 I suspect, and you shouldn't use ultrasonic on them anyway.

It doesn't matter what the volume is at your ear, because volume falls off at the square of the distance from the source, and your ear moves around.  You need to match it at the source.

I use earbuds on an Android phone and set the volume of 10-11/15 (whatever is most comfortable.) Maybe try starting at that level. 

 I use the hybrid Triclikng Stream .flac format.

Hybrid includes ultrasonic.  That is not a wise thing to do on earbuds.  Especially on earbuds.  The volume from the speaker does not equate.  it is much higher, relatively, through earbuds.  It can potentially also damage your hearing to listen to ultrasonic that loud through earbuds.

I was a bit surprised by this.

Would it be possible for you to briefly sum up the suggested format and volume level for iphone speaker and earbuds for OF?

I am quite sure that I have read conflicting information about using hybrid with earphones or earbuds:
a) Do not do it
b) It can be done as long the volume of the audible (masked) track is well within comfortable range, or one click lower.

A final word on this would be great Shannon. Thanks.

When using ultrasonic or hybrid, it is not recommended that you use it on headphones because it can cause damage if the ultrasonic portion is too loud.  Earbuds put the speaker physically inside your ear.  That means the relative volume will be even higher than it was with headphones, at the same volume setting.  

What I want to clarify is that when I say to use it on your phone at 13/15, I mean that it should be played through the phone's speaker at that volume.  It will very likely be too loud through headphones, and especially through earbuds, at that very same volume.  Even more especially if it is ultrasonic, or includes ultrasonic.

You can use ultrasonic or hybrid through headphones or earbuds, but it isn't a good idea.  If you do, you have to adjust the volume to be appropriate to the proximity of the speaker to your ear by calibrating with an audible source.  You also have to pay close attention to whether the volume causes you tinnitus, and either lower it or switch tracks if it does.

That is the final word.