In article , Stewart
Pinkerton wrote:
I've seen 'front stalls' figures quoted between 105dB for an 'average'
symphony orchestra up to 118dB for very large ensembles performing
massive works by Mahler and Wagner.

Given the lack of precision in most of the sources I have seen, I think
those figures are within the band of consistent peak orchestral levels
for front-row seats (e.g. not the Royal Albert Hall's stalls - maybe
the arena, though).

I think I conclude that for peak levels, normal but good domestic kit
probably does not quite have the ability go to full concert orchestral
levels unless you are accustomed to sitting some metres away from the
front row and/or attending the "average" symphony performance.

It's also the case that several 'high end' speaker systems are quite
capable of hitting 120dB peaks in domestic listening rooms, combining
500 watt power handling with 92-94dB/w/m sensitivity. Horns such as
the Avantgarde series with over 100dB/w/m can of course hit similar
levels with ease.

However the higher-end kit probably does have the ability to create
front-row peak SPLs for all reasonable orchestral music (annoyed
neighbours notwithstanding).

--
John Phillips