Why is the noise level at the squares evening music so extremely high?

[Smalley]

People are using ear plugs or just staying away because of the overly loud music at the squares. What can we do to lower the volume before lots of folks lose some more of their hearing? Who is in charge of this?

Thanks for opinions and information.

[jimhoward]

I am new to the villages but in my short time here have not found the music to be overly loud by any means. I like it.

[Bill14564]

People are using ear plugs or just staying away because of the overly loud music at the squares. What can we do to lower the volume before lots of folks lose some more of their hearing? Who is in charge of this?

Thanks for opinions and information.

I would prefer they turn the volume up so I can hear the music over those gabbing behind me. Have rarely felt that the volume was loud enough, never found it too loud.

[BrianL99]

People are using ear plugs or just staying away because of the overly loud music at the squares. What can we do to lower the volume before lots of folks lose some more of their hearing? Who is in charge of this?

Thanks for opinions and information.

I think you'll find that you're in the minority on this one.

[asianthree]

OP many are wearing iPods, or earbuds connected to phones. But have to say if someone is wearing ear plugs you may be confusing them with earbuds.

Earplugs would be mostly in ear, or at least the multiple ones I have come across are. There are noise canceling headphones by Bose. Very effective, our youngest highly recommends them to those in a spectrum range to control loud noise.

Noise levels are a personal issue, only a few times a year does a poster find the bands too loud. I find the crowds and personal conversations sometimes can overwhelm the music. But it’s a personal thing

[jimbomaybe]

People are using ear plugs or just staying away because of the overly loud music at the squares. What can we do to lower the volume before lots of folks lose some more of their hearing? Who is in charge of this?

Thanks for opinions and information.
Sit further away from the source

[Teed_Off]

I often have the same sentiment about the sound power levels. Seems that when some bands are matched with certain sound technicians the combination is unbearable. When I feel that the sound is too loud I have taken measurements and found that they have been over 100dB even sitting near the back row of the seating area. But what’s worse is when you see the technician trying to make adjustments while the band plays and makes the bass so dominant that I cannot make out the words to the song because the singers are drowned out. This is not just my complaints but also comes from my wife and guests that we’ve taken to the square. And this happens at Spanish Springs, Lake Sumter and Brownwood.

Quite possibly the sound technicians are hearing impaired.

[Two Bills]

Quite possibly the sound technicians are hearing impaired.

Sounds a bit like having a semi blind surgeon operating.

[Stu from NYC]

I would prefer they turn the volume up so I can hear the music over those gabbing behind me. Have rarely felt that the volume was loud enough, never found it too loud.

Very often people come and don't stop gabbing. Recently asked 2 females in front of me to lower it and one said I hadn't seen my friend for many years. Asked her why she doesn't go elsewhere to talk but it was all about them.

[mraines]

Very often people come and don't stop grabbing. Recently asked 2 females in front of me to lower it and one said I hadn't seen my friend for many years. Asked her why she doesn't go elsewhere to talk but it was all about them.

I'm with you. I go for the music and to dance. I don't understand why people go and just sit there and talk. Go somewhere else. Some bands are too loud but most are not.

[Bilyclub]

There was a lot of audio drops with the vocal microphones last night at Brownwood. Never saw the soundman in the crowd adjusting things with the IPad. The new Fancy Reagan was not as good as the old Fancy Reagan.

[MrFlorida]

I have also been stuck next to people that want to talk through the whole song, it's very annoying to those who want to listen to music.
Please, if this is you, keep it down, or go elsewhere to talk.

[Bill14564]

There was a lot of audio drops with the vocal microphones last night at Brownwood. Never saw the soundman in the crowd adjusting things with the IPad. The new Fancy Reagan was not as good as the old Fancy Reagan.

How new is the new Fancy Reagan? I saw them a couple of months ago and thought they were good, have they changed since then?

I've always wondered about the iPad sound control. It seems like it is fine for initially setting things up but it seems slow to make changes. I've attributed that to having to find the right screen to make an adjustment rather than just reaching for a knob on a sound board. I primarily notice it when a song starts and a different singer takes the lead. Often times there is no voice audio for the first few seconds while, I imagine, the correct screen is found on the iPad and the necessary adjustments are made.

[AZ SLIM]

I remember bumper stickers back in the 70s that said, "If it's too loud, you're too old". At the time I thought yeah, that's about right. Of course, now I resemble that remark.

Also, I hope the previous poster meant gabbing instead of grabbing. Both of which can be annoying.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

There's another reason besides inconsiderate people talking over the music (and if you can hear them over the music, I'd suggest the music isn't really as loud as you think it is)...

It's also the WVLS radio coming out of the BOSE speakers that are planted ALL AROUND the squares - both within the squares planted in the ground, and the ones on the light-poles. WVLS chooses not to lower the volume when there's a performance going on. The conflicting noise is disorienting when you're walking from your parking space a block away, and approaching the square. Once you get to the square, your brain has already registered the sound of the radio, and it doesn't QUITE go away until you're sitting around the stage or on the dance floor.

[Two Bills]

Also, I hope the previous poster meant gabbing instead of grabbing. Both of which can be annoying.

He did ask the two ladies to lower the grabbing though! :shocked:

[VApeople]

When we moved here, we often went to the squares to hear music. It started getting louder and louder, so we stopped going.

I do not accept people who want to cause me pain and I find loud music very painful.

[bsloan1960]

Not trying to be a wise guy- but I would prefer the music to be louder. I am new to the villages but in my short time here have not found the music to be overly loud by any means. I like it.

[Stu from NYC]

I remember bumper stickers back in the 70s that said, "If it's too loud, you're too old". At the time I thought yeah, that's about right. Of course, now I resemble that remark.

Also, I hope the previous poster meant gabbing instead of grabbing. Both of which can be annoying.

Grabbing if they were younger might have been more interesting.:boom:

I did correct the post though

[djlnc]

I agree the music is often too loud - at the squares and Savannah Center. It might be an intentional effort to cover up weak vocal performances.

[Altavia]

I agree the music is often too loud - at the squares and Savannah Center. It might be an intentional effort to cover up weak vocal performances.

I'm on your side, making it louder to the point of painful does not make it sound better.

[dadspet]

Not trying to be a wise guy- but I would prefer the music to be louder.

I've never thought it was too loud and I sure hope they don't lower the music or less and less people will dance which would be too bad since that why many people come to the square to dance, have fun, party or watch the dancers.

[Kelevision]

I took my brother to Sawgrass Grove for lunch when there was a band playing. He has a 14 year old daughter and said, it’s good she’s not with him because she’d hate it. “She doesn’t like loud things”….. Which made me laugh because all these comments are about being old.

[dewilson58]

People are using ear plugs or just staying away because of the overly loud music at the squares. What can we do to lower the volume before lots of folks lose some more of their hearing? Who is in charge of this?

Thanks for opinions and information.

WOW, I'm getting old.

Was at Lake Sumter last night, and IT WAS too loud.
:censored:

[graciegirl]

He did ask the two ladies to lower the grabbing though! :shocked:

Now that caused a coffee spit. lol

[Laker14]

WOW, I'm getting old.

Was at Lake Sumter last night, and IT WAS too loud.
:censored:

Funny you should mention that. DW and I were sitting out on the front porch last night, way down by Sea Breeze and I could hear some baselines and drums and we thought "that can't be coming from The Square (LSL), can it?"

A mere 2.25 miles as the crow flies.

[Villager24]

People are using ear plugs or just staying away because of the overly loud music at the squares. What can we do to lower the volume before lots of folks lose some more of their hearing? Who is in charge of this?

Thanks for opinions and information.
You know the old saying, “if the music’s too loud, you’re too old”. 😂

[tophcfa]

There's another reason besides inconsiderate people talking over the music (and if you can hear them over the music, I'd suggest the music isn't really as loud as you think it is)...

It's also the WVLS radio coming out of the BOSE speakers that are planted ALL AROUND the squares - both within the squares planted in the ground, and the ones on the light-poles. WVLS chooses not to lower the volume when there's a performance going on. The conflicting noise is disorienting when you're walking from your parking space a block away, and approaching the square. Once you get to the square, your brain has already registered the sound of the radio, and it doesn't QUITE go away until you're sitting around the stage or on the dance floor.

I was surprised that the music being played by the band Relic was coming from all the speakers surrounding the square in Brownwood during the Halloween festival. I thought it was much better than having the WVLG broadcast competing with the live music and didn’t recall that being done before?

[tophcfa]

Funny you should mention that. DW and I were sitting out on the front porch last night, way down by Sea Breeze and I could hear some baselines and drums and we thought "that can't be coming from The Square (LSL), can it?"

A mere 2.25 miles as the crow flies.

Our home is midway between LSL and SS and we can typically hear the music coming from one of the two squares depending on the wind direction.

When I go to the doctor for my annual physical, she always asks me how my hearing is. My answer is that it’s “selective”. In my opinion, the music in the squares is way too loud for some performers and not loud enough for others : )

[MX rider]

Not trying to be a wise guy- but I would prefer the music to be louder.

100% agree!! As Rage Against The Machine says, "turn that sh*t up!". lol

[Laker14]

The nice thing about an outdoor venue is that you can choose how far from the source you wish to be.

[Juniper]

They’re eating the dogs they’re eating the cats and wearing earplugs of the people who live there.

[RoboVil]

I am new to the villages but in my short time here have not found the music to be overly loud by any means. I like it.
It is band-dependent, but I have noticed that the volume seems to be cranked up a bit more these days as well. Some bands do need to turn the volume down.

[jaxjag1fan@yahoo.com]

I work at a rec center that has music playing at the pool. It doesn’t matter where I put the music volume somebody will always say can you turn it up or down. They are not going to please everybody.

[La lamy]

I agree that the music can be too loud. It reminds me that I should always have earplugs with me. I've probably seen 600 concerts in my life and I unfortunately forgot to bring earplugs for most of them. Surprising my hearing is still as good as it is, because rolled up toilet paper in ears is definitely not as effective!

[rsmurano]

The noise level is on the low side for an outdoor concert. In the 70’s and 80’s, I was in hard rock bands and we had a wall of 6’ Marshall amps behind me and I played the drums, playing as hard as I could, and I couldn’t hear myself play.
This was before the musicians had custom fitted ear plugs/monitor so you can hear yourself play.
It’s vey easy, if you think it’s too loud, don’t go

[MandoMan]

People are using ear plugs or just staying away because of the overly loud music at the squares. What can we do to lower the volume before lots of folks lose some more of their hearing? Who is in charge of this?

Thanks for opinions and information.

I avoid going to hear music on the squares partly because I’m a musician who suffers from Temporary Threshold Shift. That means that my hearing is normally excellent for my age, but loud noise (especially from electric bass, drums, amplifiers with the gain turned up too much, loud restaurant) paralyzes the cilia in my inner ear, so then it’s as if I’m hearing things from underwater. It’s very unpleasant, and it can lead to permanent damage. For me, a band much louder than 90 decibels will soon cause problems.

A lot of us who like the music on the squares go to sit and chat with people. Plenty also go to dance. Loud, throbbing music is more likely to get people up and dancing. It’s too loud for chatting.

If you have an iPhone, go to the App Store on your phone and download the free app called SPLnFFT Noise Meter. This is accurate and will tell you how loud the sound is where you are. Decibels are on a scale like earthquakes. A three decibel increase in sound is a 100% increase in the sound pressure, even though 3 dB is about the smallest change most people can notice. If you can do to the sound people and say “During the first set the volume was never above 92 dB and averaged 89 dB, but during this set it is averaging 100 dB, which can cause hearing loss,” then you are more likely to convince them. But probably not.

I’ve tried several types of earplugs supposedly for musicians, but they cut the volume too much, and if I talk, I sound way too loud in my head. I’ve recently found a product on Amazon that I like a lot, called “ Flare Calmer Nude – Ear Plugs Alternative – Reduce Annoying Noises Without Blocking Sound – Soft Reusable Silicone”. Only $25. These cut the volume by only 3-6 dB. That isn’t much, but it’s often enough to bring the volume down to what I can bear. It doesn’t interfere much with the sound quality, and when I talk while wearing them, I don’t sound to myself like I’m shouting.

[ndf888]

People are using ear plugs or just staying away because of the overly loud music at the squares. What can we do to lower the volume before lots of folks lose some more of their hearing? Who is in charge of this?

Thanks for opinions and information.
I’m with you here. I tried talking to the audio technicians at the squares but got a glib reply.

I suspect that although many residents would prefer a lower volume, a sizable and vocal minority are already deaf. A good lawyer would probably tell you that there’s no way to prove cause and effect.

So we just buy Lysian soft foam ear plugs in bulk on Amazon. E.g.: https://a.co/d/a6JHeBH. These are inexpensive and cut the volume much more than more pricey varieties.

[SaucyJim]

Outdoor venues usually have to limit their volume because sound can travel further than many realize. I’ve noticed the town squares volumes have increased in just the few short months I’ve been a full-timer. This is not our imagination. I’m glad I don’t live close enough to have it affect my peace at home.

As far as people talking in the town squares, completely acceptable. It’s a free show in a public square. Not a paid concert hall performance. And the music should not be too loud to prevent conversation. If you want to hear it louder, stand by the stage.

I like some bands at City Fire in Lake Sumter Landing, but the volume level in that enclosed, small venue is destroying the hearing of everyone in the room. Literally. Use a dB meter and you’ll earplug up real quick. Conversation? Don’t even think about it.

If it’s too loud, you’re too old? Nope. You’re wise enough to not blow out what hearing you have left.

[FredMitchell]

In Wildwood, as a home or business owner, you have Article IV, Sections 13-101, et.seq. available (https://library.municode.com/fl/wildwood/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH13OFMIPR_ARTIVPUN UINUPRIOTQUENHOBUOTPR).

Recently we met a couple for dinner at the restaurant in Sawgrass. The music from the Sawgrass "square" was too loud inside the restaurant. Had we not been meeting a couple there, we would have left. Now, aware of the code, I would have asked for the manager to explain why we were not going to honor the reservation (had it been ours and not the other couple's).

The attitude of some posts, "if it is too loud for you, leave" is disturbing to me. The squares are public spaces, surrounded by businesses. Do you really believe that there should be no enforceable limit to noise volume?

Noise abatement procedures are in place at hundreds of airports. Sonic booms were outlawed over 60 years ago in US airspace. Noise at too high a volume is a known medical problem.

If we don't like smoke, do we have to leave?

[Wenham]

People are using ear plugs or just staying away because of the overly loud music at the squares. What can we do to lower the volume before lots of folks lose some more of their hearing? Who is in charge

Thanks for opinions and information.Rock n Roll, made LOUD to play LOUD

[jimkerr]

People are using ear plugs or just staying away because of the overly loud music at the squares. What can we do to lower the volume before lots of folks lose some more of their hearing? Who is in charge of this?

Thanks for opinions and information.

I’ve never thought the music is too loud. You’re listening to a band. They should have the volume levels high.

[JanRoberts]

Hahahaha!!!

[Zeitung]

People are using ear plugs or just staying away because of the overly loud music at the squares. What can we do to lower the volume before lots of folks lose some more of their hearing? Who is in charge of this?

Thanks for opinions and information.

I totally agree ! It’s been way too loud for too long and if someone knows what to do about it, let us know!
We hardly ever go anymore because of the loudness!
When we moved here in 2007 we could at least still converse at the square and it was great! All that is gone! Perhaps we should get a petition going and send it to the villages entertainment!
Any suggestions?

[Lscannevin]

We just stay away. Too loud for our ears and not worth the damage.

[Justputt]

Per ASHA "Sounds over 85 dBA can damage your hearing faster. The safe listening time is cut in half for every 3-dB rise in noise levels over 85 dBA. For example, you can listen to sounds at 85 dBA for up to 8 hours. If the sound goes up to 88 dBA, it is safe to listen to those same sounds for 4 hours. And if the sound goes up to 91 dBA, your safe listening time is down to 2 hours."

The volume of a number of bands is well above these numbers. As someone with tinnitus, you don't want it! Imagine 2-4 tunning forks up to your ear, all just a little different frequency, a very noticeable volume, ringing 24/7/365!!! If you think someone talking is distracting, you ain't heard nothing yet!!! Damage is cumulative. My tinnitus didn't suddenly appear after a loud concert, a day shooting/hunting, or heavy equipment noise; rather it just started during a normal day. Protect your ears, there's no fix for tinnitus from sound damage. Hearing aids help mask the ringing, but the damage is done.

[larrycrilley@gmail.com]

People are using ear plugs or just staying away because of the overly loud music at the squares. What can we do to lower the volume before lots of folks lose some moreof their hearing? Who is in charge of this?

Thanks for opinions and information.

There’s an old rock and roll theme from the 70s stating “if it’s too loud, you’re too old” I am pretty sure that message was intended for our parents and I hope I never applies to me. Only bad music is too loud.

“ You’re never too old to rock ‘n’ roll if you are too young to die” - Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

[jparsoneau@aol.com]

Turn it up

[maistocars]

Doesn't sound loud to me in any respect. Sounds like you may have bought a house close to a square and might be regretting it?

[Laker14]

We used to have a group who would meet for dinner at Havana CC. Eventually we gave it up because of the "entertainment". So freekin' loud we could not carry on conversation.
Not for me. I dine with friends so we can enjoy each-other's company. If I want a loud rock and roll concert I'll go find one.

Must be a lot of folks like it though, as the place was always packed.

[jimjamuser]

I often have the same sentiment about the sound power levels. Seems that when some bands are matched with certain sound technicians the combination is unbearable. When I feel that the sound is too loud I have taken measurements and found that they have been over 100dB even sitting near the back row of the seating area. But what’s worse is when you see the technician trying to make adjustments while the band plays and makes the bass so dominant that I cannot make out the words to the song because the singers are drowned out. This is not just my complaints but also comes from my wife and guests that we’ve taken to the square. And this happens at Spanish Springs, Lake Sumter and Brownwood.

Quite possibly the sound technicians are hearing impaired.
The threshold of pain is 115 dB. And as people get older they lose the higher frequencies. So, I think that the sound engineers think that because we are all old that we are ALL practically deaf.
......Years ago my wife had my hearing tested because she thought that my hearing was going bad. The test said that my hearing was good. She then realized that I was just good at ignoring her !

[Smalley]

Thank you for that useful info. I'm sorry that you have to deal with tinnitus. It makes me realize that we're smart to avoid the blaring music at the squares.

[Bilyclub]

I was surprised that the music being played by the band Relic was coming from all the speakers surrounding the square in Brownwood during the Halloween festival. I thought it was much better than having the WVLG broadcast competing with the live music and didn’t recall that being done before?


They do it at Brownwood for all the major events.

[Bilyclub]

How new is the new Fancy Reagan? I saw them a couple of months ago and thought they were good, have they changed since then?

I've always wondered about the iPad sound control. It seems like it is fine for initially setting things up but it seems slow to make changes. I've attributed that to having to find the right screen to make an adjustment rather than just reaching for a knob on a sound board. I primarily notice it when a song starts and a different singer takes the lead. Often times there is no voice audio for the first few seconds while, I imagine, the correct screen is found on the iPad and the necessary adjustments are made.

Apparently the two great female members have left the band along with a couple of others. They also are no longer Delites for Johnny Wild.

[Bill14564]

Apparently the two great female members have left the band along with a couple of others. They also are no longer Wildettes for Johnny Wild.

Yeah, that could change the band a lot!

[dismay]

People are using ear plugs or just staying away because of the overly loud music at the squares. What can we do to lower the volume before lots of folks lose some more of their hearing? Who is in charge of this?

Thanks for opinions and information.

Why live near a square?

[kkingston57]

People are using ear plugs or just staying away because of the overly loud music at the squares. What can we do to lower the volume before lots of folks lose some more of their hearing? Who is in charge of this?

Thanks for opinions and information.

Have been here for 4 years and music volume has not increased. Saw a very popular band that played frequently at TV, The Hooligans, at Disney recently and they do play much louder there than in TV and they sounded much better.

Suggest moving further away from stage if music is too loud.