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Obnoxious and dangerous PA sound level - Row80Critic - 09-30-2017

Wow, what obnoxiously loud music/rap in the stadium today.  We sit at the top of the first level, so near speakers, but the sound level was truly unbearable today.  People were plugging their ears all around us.  We measured 117db on an iPhone app, which is above the pain threshold according to many reports, and WELL ABOVE THE LEVEL THAT CAN CAUSE HEARING DAMAGE after hours on end like that.  I get the idea of trying to create a vibe and get people hyped up, but this was flat-out irresponsible and needs to be corrected.

Nice game otherwise, Go Stanford!

Re: Obnoxious and dangerous PA sound level - martyup - 09-30-2017

What was the objectionable content?

Re: Obnoxious and dangerous PA sound level - Snorlax94 - 09-30-2017

I did not find any content obnoxious or dangerous, though some people find the band objectionable (not me).

I sit in the second row near the field, and I would describe the sound as a bit too loud.

I like that they're bringing a more energetic and entertaining vibe this year with the dj, fireworks, and runout into smoke.

I did notice it was a little difficult to catch up with friends 3 seats away, it was like trying to talk in a club.

So personally, I'd say it was maybe 10-20% too loud, because I enjoy talking to friends during the game.

Though I generally never mind loud music (just saw Maroon 5 at the amphitheater Thursday!), I will admit while reading this thread, that my ears are aching a little.

I do not recall any rap, nor do I generally find that content objecionable. It was just dj music.

Re: Obnoxious and dangerous PA sound level - Row80Critic - 09-30-2017

It was really just the sound level.  When it is loud enough to hurt, it's hard to like the content.

Re: Obnoxious and dangerous PA sound level - CompSci87 - 09-30-2017

Music was too loud for me at times in row Q. Turned off my hearing aids and plugged my ears a few times.

On the plus side, the announcer was loud and clear this week in our section. Last week something was broken and we couldn't hear much.

Re: Obnoxious and dangerous PA sound level - amartinsu13 - 09-30-2017

I was complaining the whole time that the sound system in the stadium just sounds terrible.  It's too loud, and it's not even clear sounding.  I was sitting in the Red Zone.

Re: Obnoxious and dangerous PA sound level - cardcrimson - 09-30-2017

FWIW, through the TV, I could hear the announcer screaming about 3rd downs and all. Ugh.

Re: Obnoxious and dangerous PA sound level - French Rage - 09-30-2017

It did seem louder than usual today.

Also, the way they changed "Name That Tune" is stupid.  I don't know what we're supposed to gain from watching people wearing earphones trying to figure out a song.

Re: Obnoxious and dangerous PA sound level - cctop - 09-30-2017

I'd guess that the P.A. sounded too loud today because of all the empty seats.

Hard plastic reflects sound.  Soft-bodied humans absorb sound.  The audio systems are likely tuned with the assumption that it needs to be loud enough for people to hear when the stands are full.

Re: Obnoxious and dangerous PA sound level - qwerty49 - 10-01-2017

The SSB just isn't the same without the cannon! 😜

Re: Obnoxious and dangerous PA sound level - UltimateCard - 10-01-2017

It was really loud in the concourse, too! Had to shout while talking to friend standing right next to me!  :(

Re: Obnoxious and dangerous PA sound level - M T - 10-01-2017

I find the volume too loud during (last year's) WBB games too.  I have taken to wearing my sound-cancelling earphones (in-the-ear) all the time.  At least then, it is bearable.  117db, really?  Wow.  (I tried a number of the free sound measurement apps on the iPhone, and found VisualAudio the best for my purposes. Ymmv. (I'm not particularly knowledgeable about audio.)  Specifically, I liked the ability to visualize the sound levels & record the levels over some time with spectral info.)  I'll have to start measuring it at WVB.  Stanford lawyers will clearly want to get this adjusted if fans are recording & reporting levels above hearing damage levels.

Maybe at the next game, a number of people can report seat number and sound levels at specific times.


(09-30-2017, 09:04 PM)Row80Critic link Wrote:We measured 117db on an iPhone app, which is above the pain threshold according to many reports, and WELL ABOVE THE LEVEL THAT CAN CAUSE HEARING DAMAGE after hours on end like that. 


Re: Obnoxious and dangerous PA sound level - Row80Critic - 10-01-2017

(10-01-2017, 08:36 AM)UltimateCard link Wrote:It was really loud in the concourse, too! Had to shout while talking to friend standing right next to me!  :(

That's essentially where are seats are too, directly under the white speakers.  Ironically, that's where the accessible seating is too, which hosts people who are among the least able to physically tolerate it.  I don't know who is in charge of that sort of thing, but blaring a loudspeaker at 117db for 4 hours is irresponsible (at best) for a University that is is on the forefront of health and safety issues.  It may have been loudest right where we were seated (maybe 15 feet under a speaker?), but they shouldn't put a whole group of people at risk just to ensure it's "loud" in all the other seats.  Don't mean to rant, but hoping word gets back to someone who can address the issue so it doesn't happen again.

Re: Obnoxious and dangerous PA sound level - Farm93 - 10-01-2017

For years it was too hard to hear the PA.  Now it is too loud??!!

I never have wanted or needed the PA commentary.  The timeout games, music, and various promo spots are all unnecessary too.  I realize many have value to others.  Perceptions that the stadium is now too loud has an easy remedy.  Earplugs.

FWIW - Even if as noisy as claimed sitting near speakers most college/pro football and basketball venues blast noise at higher levels.  And then in many stadiums the crowd itself is capable of producing those DB levels, often for the vast majority of the game.  Autzen's record is 127 DBs.  Husky stadium has measurements above 130.  Those are not just isolated seats near speakers, but the whole place.  So pretty funny to complain about isolated pockets at 117, when the team plays routinely in venues where the fans cheering can exceed those levels.  (FWIW - Even local fans can get up to 117dbs as Oracle Arena is noted to hit 120+ in the playoffs)

Too late, too early, too hot, too cold, too quiet, too noisy.  Ugh.

Based on the number of empty plastic and aluminum seats, I would expect the Pac-12 (and the Stanford AD) will continue to hope Stanford gets 7PM starts.  At the later hours there are more fans in the stands to absorb the PA sound, and the fans in the stands at that time are more likely to accept louder noise and create their own noise to support the team.

Re: Obnoxious and dangerous PA sound level - Row80Critic - 10-01-2017

(10-01-2017, 09:47 AM)Farm93 link Wrote:For years it was too hard to hear the PA.  Now it is too loud??!!

I never have wanted or needed the PA commentary.  The timeout games, music, and various promo spots are all unnecessary too.  I realize many have value to others.  Perceptions that the stadium is now too loud has an easy remedy.  Earplugs.

FWIW - Even if as noisy as claimed sitting near speakers most college/pro football and basketball venues blast noise at higher levels.  And then in many stadiums the crowd itself is capable of producing those DB levels, often for the vast majority of the game.  Autzen's record is 127 DBs.  Husky stadium has measurements above 130.  Those are not just isolated seats near speakers, but the whole place.  So pretty funny to complain about isolated pockets at 117, when the team plays routinely in venues where the fans cheering can exceed those levels.  (FWIW - Even local fans can get up to 117dbs as Oracle Arena is noted to hit 120+ in the playoffs)

Too late, too early, too hot, too cold, too quiet, too noisy.  Ugh.

Based on the number of empty plastic and aluminum seats, I would expect the Pac-12 (and the Stanford AD) will continue to hope Stanford gets 7PM starts.  At the later hours there are more fans in the stands to absorb the PA sound, and the fans in the stands at that time are more likely to accept louder noise and create their own noise to support the team.

It's not really a judgment call -- the PA system was set to a level that was loud enough to be harmful to unprotected ears, according to published authorities.  Other stadiums and events probably do get louder, but that's a classic red-herring argument (see relative privation; appeal to the masses, probably more).  The issue is that Stanford stadium, last night, had control over how loud to set the PA system and set it above the level that many authorities say can cause harm.  I'd think Stanford of all places would want to correct that.  I've said my piece, I'll shut up now. :)  Go Stanford! 

Re: Obnoxious and dangerous PA sound level - Phogge - 10-01-2017

I'm there for football. I don't need the fake stuff to be entertained.

Re: Obnoxious and dangerous PA sound level - Goose - 10-01-2017

OK, I am a "Grumpy Old Man", but I find the music, loud or otherwise, to be a doomed attempt to generate enthusiasm. The people in the stands know when a play is important. We aren't going to get excited about every 3rd and 3 in the entire game. We are there for a football game, not a concert. Unfortunately, it seems that this attempted hype is not only acceptable but expected. I personally think it detracts from the game experience. Music from the Stanford Band, or even the opponents band, is a different thing. They are part of the crowd, not some electronic waveform available on command for any reason or no reason, with no loyalty to anything.
The commercials, strange contests, and the "Go Stanford" exhortations (when we don't even have the ball!) are even worse. We then attempt to distribute all kinds of awards in a totally inadequate period of time so that the honorees are probably left with a "what just happened?" look on their face. Some of the commercial activities are unfortunately unavoidable. The rest of the "junk" should just be eliminated. The awards should be presented at halftime, where at least there may be enough time to truly honor the recipients, not just hustle them on and off the field. If there are too many awards to fit in, wait until the following week. I fully expect that none of this will happen, but I think somebody needs to state the obvious.

Re: Obnoxious and dangerous PA sound level - teejers1 - 10-01-2017

The nonstop assault on the ears via the in-stadium sound system is a freaking travesty!  (And I include Theo in that category - "C'mon Stanford . . . make some NOOOOIIIISSSEE").  STFU is my gut reaction every time.  But its the nonstop assault that really detracts from 'the fan experience.'  It's like there are standing orders to have something or someone blasting at you at all "down times" during the game . . . no matter what. 

Stop already, for the love of god!

Re: Obnoxious and dangerous PA sound level - 81alum - 10-02-2017

The one improvement to sound was that they picked up and amped the band's performance at halftime.  I don't remember that happening in the distant past.

The small chamber group in black from the band that played 2001 at the beginning of the "I-Band X" performance sounded very good, by the way.  Perhaps it is too soon to say, but I think the new music director may be having a positive influence on their musicality.

I also thought the "I-Band X" theme was somewhat clever, although I could not figure out any connection to ASU.  I hope the band retains its freedom to make fun of opposing schools.  What did they do against UCLA?

Re: Obnoxious and dangerous PA sound level - French Rage - 10-02-2017

(10-02-2017, 04:44 AM)81alum link Wrote:I also thought the "I-Band X" theme was somewhat clever, although I could not figure out any connection to ASU.  I hope the band retains its freedom to make fun of opposing schools.  What did they do against UCLA?

It's good if they can find a way to include the opposing school, but it doesn't need to be a must every time.  Let's face it, we have less of a rivalry with ASU so not as much to work with there as there is with the CA schools or the other North schools.

For UCLA, it was about the band being nice and formal until the Dollies freed the tree, at which point they reverted to their old selves.  Actually, it was very similar to the first halftime show in 2007, after they had been suspended for all of 2006.  It seems that one is good for pulling out and using once a decade!