Sound levels very high on Breakaway. Does this bother you?

[Birdnutty]

Just back from a 14 day Haven Southern Caribbean trip on the Breakaway. Long review with pix and lots of details (and a boring title) is here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2318054 Comments and questions are welcome.

My biggest, (and actually, only real) gripe is that this is the loudest ship I have ever been on. Sound levels are way beyond what they should be, to the point where I was very uncomfortable. We own a sound company, so we know our stuff concerning safe levels of noise. Our phones have apps to measure db’s (since it's our business) and the venues consistently pegged the meter at the dangerously loud level. I felt the need to wear earplugs a great deal and carried them with me everywhere. All the larger entertainment venues were ear splitting, and some of the machines in the casino around my favorite poker machines were crazy loud when they hit. (not mine - it never hit :rolleyes: ) Yet I never heard anyone else complain. Are people already going deaf enough to not realize how loud these places are? Am I just super-sensitive? What are your thoughts?

 

Hearing is a precious sense, and is easily damaged by noise levels, especially sustained ones, that are too high. By the time you realize you're losing it, it's pretty far gone. And you can't ever get it back.

[triptolemus]

Why not post the db readings you were seeing on the woefully inaccurate phone app?

 

I work in occupational safety and am very familiar with sound levels and exposure.

 

What levels were you seeing?

[Birdnutty]

I agree that the phone apps are inaccurate, but they are indicators. Ours regularly registered over 100 in the theater and atrium. I wish I had taken screen shots to share.

 

That, coupled with the fact that leaning over and screaming into my hubby's ear was necessary for him to hear me and my ears hurt during and afterward... isn't that too loud, even if the app was inaccurate?

 

It wasn't always that way - we've been cruising for 30 years and the theatrical venues have always been on the louder side, but only recently have I noticed the increases getting higher and more physically intrusive.

 

I wonder why the sound engineers think it is necessary to be that loud. Some higher authority dictating that? I know when we do concerts, the client expects outrageous volumes - that's normal, even if we don't like it. We do what the client wants. But in a regular public venue, producing family shows (not that Rock of Ages is a family show) why so loud?

 

Perhaps I am too sensitive. As indicated by my avatar, I am a birdwatcher, and hearing their songs is important to me. I don't ever want to lose that ability.

 

But my question still stands - does this bother anyone else, or does nobody really notice or care?

[kjquilts]

Sound levels seem to vary by ship. I take ear plugs on every cruise and have them available if needed. On the Epic the volume was so loud in some venues that we walked in and right back out. Ear plugs would not have helped. Thankfully on our last two cruises (Dawn and Jewel) we did not have that problem.

 

I don't understand the reason for extreme volume and pounding base either. It makes me want to run for cover.

[KeithJenner]

I'm firmly in the never noticed camp.

 

Having said that, on the one night cruise we had on the Getaway when it was launched, I remember us all being in o'Sheehans once and noting that it was very noisy. That was due to the large number of people in there all shouting to hear each other over everyone else.

 

Other than that, I've never noticed it being too loud anywhere onboard any ships and we don't find it particularly difficult to communicate with each other in shows.

 

I've not been on the Breakaway since it was launched so if it's something specific about that ship then maybe it's changed over time.

[cpufrost]

It has always been the case with live music SPLs are much higher than defined safe levels. Today they seem to use more compression to get even louder, averaged levels. Annoying! Properly fitted earplugs definitely help.

 

Phone apps are very unreliable as the mic's response is not suited for weighted/unweighted response. There are apps (not the free ones) that will use a more direct access to the microphone hardware and some of these can produce reasonably accurate results when compared to a Brüel & Kjær survey meter that has been properly calibrated. Even so, most apps will not record actual SPL, either peak or averaged, in excess of 100dB.

 

An unweighted meter will often see peaks well in excess of 100dB at venues with bass heavy music due to the response of the reinforcement box tuning frequency around 45-60Hz. This won't damage hearing but can give you a headache. Some are affected by it and some aren't.

 

When doing gigs with electro, trance, etc. we may run over 50kW of power just to subwoofers because people on the dance floor want gut wrenching bass kicks. I don't know how some people can stand right next to the HF horns when the SPL is over 135dBA. That's like standing across the road from an air raid siren. Probably the liquor (or worse) going through their veins.

[Birdnutty]

I also noticed this most recently on other ships, too, but not as pervasively. On a Celebrity ship we were on, we were in a very small lounge and the little lounge band had the volume cranked up like it was a concert hall. They were good, so it was a shame, but we had to leave. It's a lounge, for goodness sake! What happened to the idea of background music?

 

I guess my issue is because only a few want this brain-rattling volume, the powers that be have decided that the rest of us (numbering in the thousands) have to be subjected to uncomfortable and possibly physically harmful levels.

 

I don't think it's right that folks (ones that notice and/or care) have to make a choice between enduring the volume or missing the show, like kjquilts did. Especially children, who have no choice but to go where their parents drag them. And most people never consider bringing ear plugs. Nor should they have to think about it. (IMHO)

[janpo]

When we sailed on the Getaway the Grammy experience was so loud we walked out. Its too small of a place to be that loud.

Edited February 24, 2016 by janpo

[cpufrost]

I also noticed this most recently on other ships, too, but not as pervasively. On a Celebrity ship we were on, we were in a very small lounge and the little lounge band had the volume cranked up like it was a concert hall. They were good, so it was a shame, but we had to leave. It's a lounge, for goodness sake! What happened to the idea of background music?

 

I guess my issue is because only a few want this brain-rattling volume, the powers that be have decided that the rest of us (numbering in the thousands) have to be subjected to uncomfortable and possibly physically harmful levels.

 

I don't think it's right that folks (ones that notice and/or care) have to make a choice between enduring the volume or missing the show, like kjquilts did. Especially children, who have no choice but to go where their parents drag them. And most people never consider bringing ear plugs. Nor should they have to think about it. (IMHO)

 

Small venues are going to be loud. Can't help it. Background music? We call that house music (not to be confused with the genre) and is a recording that runs pretty much from open to close.

 

Unless you're listening to a string ensemble, purely acoustic. And most people talk so there will be amplification. I never understood why people go to a bar/lounge then complain that they can't talk because the music is too loud! LOL, if you want to talk go somewhere else.

 

And yes if you want to sit close to the stage you will need earplugs. Guitar stacks are going to be loud. I've played in a band and want to be heard at FOH. So yeah it's going to be uncomfortable for some, can't please everyone. ;)

 

I'm 50 and can still hear those ringtones that kids use thinking adults can't hear them. Whenever I have new help that's touching anything in the signal path I always do a sweep and have everyone raise their hand when they can no longer hear it. I've seen 20 year olds raise their hand when the dial was at 9kHz! That's serious. As someone that's always been around noise (from 35,000 hp gas turbines in engine rooms, shooting big guns at the range, to FOH in a venue with half a million watts of amplification) I took care of my ears. If it's uncomfortable to listen to (actually causes pain) then either move or get ear plugs. Real ear plugs, never use cotton! When you have no control over this limit your time.

 

On stage I use custom in ear monitors and can hear my instruments perfect. I also use them in other noisy environments to block out noise and listen to music still at an enjoyable volume.

 

That being said I've never really thought the main venues on ships were overall too loud. In small areas up close it gets there and I suppose if the performance doesn't fit your groove it could be annoying.

 

People are funny about music too. If they don't like it at all, it's too loud, period. :D

 

Personally what gets under my skin is a loud TV. When someone turns up a TV set so loud, it's tinny speaker blaring, especially adverts. Annoys the crap out of me! :eek:

[newcruiser48]

Last year on the Breakaway my husband and I had to leave the Bliss lounge a few times because the volume was unbearable...

[Mistizoom]

Adding earplugs to my list of cruise supplies....

[bjlaac]

No OP, you are not the only one to notice. The BA is by far the loudest ship we were ever on. We sailed both the BA and Gem this year and it was night and day in the theater as well as the outdoor stage. It seems the music producer on the BA thinks louder makes it better.

 

Its so loud in the theater the voices of the singers are actually distorted. I'm not sure why, but is annoying and one reason we choose not the sail the BA again. We even brought it to the attention of the cruise director and other staff members and the canned answer of "no one else ever complains" is telling.

Edited February 24, 2016 by bjlaac

[Jeremiah1212]

Never been on BA, but it's the same on Escape. Most of the venues lack any personality so apparently the goal is to make up for it in sheer volume. I don't mind a loud rowdy bar or sometimes, but you literally couldn't carry on a conversation in any of the non-restaurant venues at night. The Tenacious D impersonator in the Brewhouse was practically screaming into his mic on top of that, despite the maybe 20 person crowd at times. The music outside at the Spice parties made my ears ring for hours. They definitely have some room for improvement!

[momoftwinteens]

I can't answer your question. However, I DO appreciate the "heads up". My hearing is very sensative, probably because I have been legally blind since the age of 10. I have good ear plugs but would have only used them in my cabin to block out the snoring of one of my travel companions :D.

Now, I know to make sure I have them with me wherever I go on the ship, especially the theater. Thank you.

Edited February 24, 2016 by momoftwinteens

[NIATPAC29]

Perhaps the OP is over analyzing. You're not around this noise for months and months at a time. Let it go and have fun

[NIATPAC29]

Just wondering. Does a pool service person test the pool water constantly while on a cruise? I hope not

[armwinder]

We always carry earplugs and have walked out of a number of shows when the sound level was just too much. I have spent way too many years in loud ships engine rooms (hearing protection mandatory) to allow my hearing to get any more damaged than it is by unnecessary noise. If a person has to cup his hands and shout to communicate with the person sitting next to him its too loud for me.

 

Glad I never took the advice of some of the older engineers when they told me hearing protection was not necessary, you get used to it they would try and say. I can usually tell if it was too loud as when leaving the theater the silence is deafening and there is a slight tremble in my hands. Everyone to there own, if a person thinks it won't bother them down the road then enjoy.

[NIATPAC29]

It will not bother them down the road. It's very short term exposure. Quit spreading the fear

[Birdnutty]

I can't answer your question. However, I DO appreciate the "heads up". My hearing is very sensative, probably because I have been legally blind since the age of 10. I have good ear plugs but would have only used them in my cabin to block out the snoring of one of my travel companions :D.

Now, I know to make sure I have them with me wherever I go on the ship, especially the theater. Thank you.

 

Glad to oblige. I had people like you in mind when I started this. Hearing is such a vital sense, and its sensitivity is crucial to someone like you whose other senses may be dulled or non-existent. At least with ear plugs you can still go and enjoy the shows, that without earplugs you would either need to skip or bear the consequences.

[Leavethekidswithmom]

Thanks for the heads up. I was expecting peace and tranquility with three or four live bands on a packed cruise ship with 5000 other people, especially no noise. [emoji57]

[tampadee]

Hearing loss is cummulative which means extra loud sounds causes hearing loss at that time, then more loud sounds cause more hearing loss. Every time you are exposed to really loud music, more hearing loss.

 

Believe me, hearing aides aren't the answer. It's much better to save our hearing.

[Birdnutty]

Hearing loss is cummulative which means extra loud sounds causes hearing loss at that time, then more loud sounds cause more hearing loss. Every time you are exposed to really loud music, more hearing loss.

 

Believe me, hearing aides aren't the answer. It's much better to save our hearing.

 

I couldn't agree more. I just wish the "powers that be" could get the message and do something about it.

[bjlaac]

Thanks for the heads up. I was expecting peace and tranquility with three or four live bands on a packed cruise ship with 5000 other people, especially no noise. [emoji57]

 

Have you ever been on the BA? The volume is over the top especially in the theatre and pool area. Louder is not always better and no one is talking about peace and tranquility.

Edited February 25, 2016 by bjlaac

[UPNYGuy]

On 2/23/2016 at 10:54 PM, Birdnutty said:

Just back from a 14 day Haven Southern Caribbean trip on the Breakaway. Long review with pix and lots of details (and a boring title) is here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2318054 Comments and questions are welcome.

My biggest, (and actually, only real) gripe is that this is the loudest ship I have ever been on. Sound levels are way beyond what they should be, to the point where I was very uncomfortable. We own a sound company, so we know our stuff concerning safe levels of noise. Our phones have apps to measure db’s (since it's our business) and the venues consistently pegged the meter at the dangerously loud level. I felt the need to wear earplugs a great deal and carried them with me everywhere. All the larger entertainment venues were ear splitting, and some of the machines in the casino around my favorite poker machines were crazy loud when they hit. (not mine - it never hit :rolleyes: ) Yet I never heard anyone else complain. Are people already going deaf enough to not realize how loud these places are? Am I just super-sensitive? What are your thoughts?

 

Hearing is a precious sense, and is easily damaged by noise levels, especially sustained ones, that are too high. By the time you realize you're losing it, it's pretty far gone. And you can't ever get it back.

 

I know that I am replying to an old thread, but the BA and GA are seriously overpowered in the theaters. If you are familiar with the equipment used for live sound reinforcement, they use a JBL Vertec line array (I believe VT4887 boxes) on both sides of the stage, with 8 cabinets each side. These have enough throw and output to be used in a small hockey arena (4000 to 5000ish seats). I saw Sarah Brightman in a 10,000 seat venue, and they were using cabients the same size. Granted, Sarah Brightman is low impact, but the point is that these ships have very overpowered and over-spec'd speakers for the size of the venues. 

[herbanrenewal]

This has been a major complaint of mine on every cruise. I can't go to any venue without noise cancelling earplugs. I am hard of hearing;  I still can only listen to music when outside of a venue. My apple watch is constantly alarming because of dangerous decibel ratings. If I try to see a show I am totally unable to hear conversation (or any vocal comment) for hours after.