How loud is a 42db Projector? Too loud or OK?

Question

Hi,

I wan't to use a projector to play movies I just bought. The projector is 42db well running. Is this loud?

I have two good speakers so they are very loud, but would I be able to be disturbed by the projector at average tv volume?

Answer 1

Since you are using the projector for home use, 42db is very loud. Most home theater projectors are in the 30-33db range. 42db sounds like a very old model, or a model designed for business/data settings.

To answer your question, it depends on your ability to deal with it. It also depends on your seating location in proximity to the projector. If the projector is on the coffee table in front of you, it will be pretty loud and you will have to add some volume level to the TV to drown it out. The worst thing is in hearing quiet conversations during movies.

I have a home projector with a 37db rating and it is definitely noisy. It doesn't drive me nuts, but I do have to have my volume about 5 - 10% louder when the projector is on, compared to turning my actual television on instead.

If the projector is mounted overhead, and in particular, a little bit behind you, you won't notice the noise nearly as much. I would suggest doing this if at all possible.

I don't think the noise will be enough to make you not want to use the projector, but have the volume button handy to deal with movies that go from loud to quiet, or even television shows that go from loud to quiet as well.