Question: What volume level to set for testing?

[DavidInHawawii]

What volume level should I set my device at before calibrating?

I didn't find anything about that in the instructions, yet it seems to me to be something that would affect results.

Finally, I'd like to suggest that the idea of calibrating using "18-35 year olds with good hearing" isn't very useful since so many of them grew up with earbuds stuffed in their ears, drive cars with very loud sound systems, and attended very loud concerts...and have hearing losses they're not even aware of. "I'm not old, I'm only 18, I can't possibly have a hearing loss!"

Anyway, thanks for any answer you may have to my question, and thanks for the app.

[vpexxi]

For calibration, set your device volume to a comfortable but high level (around 70-80% of max) to ensure clear tone perception without distortion, avoiding any built-in EQ or volume controls on headphones that could affect accuracy. While the app uses an 18–35 age group with "normal hearing" as a baseline, you raise a fair point about modern hearing damage—if you’re unsure about your own hearing, the single-frequency (1000Hz) calibration option lets you self-calibrate under the assumption of good hearing at that frequency, though results may vary.....

[woheller69]

do not change the volume. The app controls it automatically

[puppykickr]

TL/DR: if it is tolerable at whatever the app sets it at, leave it alone.
if not, then no more than 5 below full volume should suffice.

apology for the long answer, but i hope this answers some questions.

i was a live sound engineer for a long time, using analog equipment.

the way it works is called 'root mean squared' which basically is the power that can be handled by the equipment 'continuously' (generally 8 hours constant) and this is referred to as RMS power.
this is the sweet spot sonically, with the least amount of distortion (an undesireable 'crunchy' sound) and a solid volume.

nothing is strained, and you can rock out good and not hurt anything (or any ears) all night.

this is about 70% of full volume.

if everything is right, you should be able to have the amplifier(s) volume full up and control it by the mixing board- not allowing for more than the RMS (~70‰) to avoid distortion.

by hooking my android into such sound systems over time, i have found that this RMS thing remains true.

all of the android devices i have ever had divide the volume spectrum into 15 increments.

so the closest you can get to the RMS level without going over is 67%, or 5 steps below max, or 10 steps from off.

whenever i connected anything, if it had a volume control, i would always set it for 70% or as close to that as i could get.

i never blew out an input after learning that.

anyway, i have also found that my various bluetooth speakers, amps, etc., all sound their best at no more than 67%.
(the next volume step puts them at 73%, which puts them above RMS during peaks)

also keep in mind that if you do not exceed that volume you will most likely never blow anything from 'having it up too loud'.
speakers, amps, pre-amps; anything, period.

so upon this observation over 30+ years, my belief is that if its good for speakers (and headphones are speakers) that 67%, or ten out of 15, is the volume that anything android should be listened to (if you really want it that loud).

many times 67% is not loud enough, such as most things spoken on youtube.
this is caused by problems in compression (music covering up the person speaking) or just piss poor audio in the first place. if you dont hear distortion, then it should be fine to increase the volume until you do, then back it off until you dont.

if this app sets the volume different than what you had it before, then i would suggest that you leave it alone if you can tolerate the volume level unless you can hear distortion.

if you hear distortion, then something is amiss and you should turn the volume down until the distortion stops.

another fun fact:
two possible sources of distortion exist.
it can come from the equipment or from your ears themselves.

you can tell the difference by plugging your ears when you hear distortion (anywhere, from anything).
if the distortion goes away when you plug your ears, then your ears were distorting.
if you still hear the distortion with your ears plugged, then it is the equipment, not your ears.

here is why all this is important...
distortion from exceeding RMS is always a bad thing, even with your ears. (yes, your ears also work much this way)

if you find that your ears are distorting (distortion goes away with ears plugged) then turn it down or wear ear protection (not for this app, though, lol)

once again, sorry for all that, but i thought that someone may have questions