OK so i've read all the threads here and elsewhere so I know the possibilities available, but just turning on the J-box again just now I'm struck by now, with the new firmware update, how crazy it is that:
- The TURN ON ANNOUNCEMENT VOLUME is tremendously loud, yet
- The MUSIC VOLUME is then surprisingly low even at max. (at least post-upgrade)
Yes I"ve read the reports that Jawbone says that the max SPL (sound pressure level) volume measures the same after the update and its just user impressions, but there is no way this is true. I got thinking about this and thought I'd spend a quick hour checking it out...
Just some quick measurements with a db meter about 14" away...:
- "The Rogue" announcements = 85dB peak
- The pairing beep = a blaring 93dB peak
Hmmm... but what about music you say? Figures below are for different types of music from differnt eras to account for mastering compression technology and source loudness varieties... but its still pretty revealing in how much the LiveAudio technology 'costs' in terms of volume.
Norah Jones - I'll never get out of this world alive
LA-on: peak 86.4dB avg 83dB
LA-off: peak 93.7dB avg 90+ dB
Aerosmith - Back in the saddle
LA-on: peak 84.6dB avg 83dB
LA-off: peak 91.4dB avg 87dB
Snoop Dogg - Gin & Juice
LA-on: peak 86.8dB avg 85dB
LA-off: peak 92.1dB avg 88dB
The Band Perry - You Lie
LA-on: peak 85.4dB avg 84dB
LA-off: peak 96dB avg 90+dB
Rolling Stones - Can't you hear me knockin
LA-on: peak 81.2dB avg 78dB
LA-off: peak 89.4dB avg 85dB
Ray La Montagne & The Pariah Dogs - Devil's in the Jukebox
LA-on: peak 90.9dB avg 86dB
LA-off: peak 96.8dB avg 90+dB
Los Lonely Boys - Heaven
LA-on: peak 88.1dB avg 85dB
LA-off: peak 94.2dB avg 90+dB
Some takeways:
- Beeps and announcements are measureably and empirically way friggin loud. Seriously - 93dB beeps and 85dB announcements are WAY TOO LOUD...
- LiveAudio unsurprisingly takes a lot of volume out. 6-8dB pretty consistently on peaks regardless of source music style / era. Just brainstorming I bet this is because of a combo of "compander" techniques and clever negative feedback / phase-shift tricks that as a side effect have to take overall volume down, and without that volume "headroom" several of those wouldn't be possible
- Whatever compression/expansion that is done in Jambox software (sound clarity is most likely pure limiter functionality I have to assume) can't make up for source content volume/compression regardless, of whether L-A is on or not, so 'era' of music makes a big difference - basically new stuff is way loud as everybody in the business knows.
Don't get me wrong the Live Audio magic is super cool when you sit right in front of it. Just too bad we can't get some more volume out of it! I still keep it on when I'm listening in a single spot and its quiet and I can put the 'box right in front of me conveniently - the soundstage magic is super cool. And yeah, the beeps and announcements have no right to be so screamingly loud.
