It is relevant because people's impression of how loud something is, is based on slow averaging SPL meters, not peak. The notion that "120 db SPL" is too loud for your neighbor stems from that type of understanding, not peak.Sorry, I don't see how that's relevant. Peak SPL is Peak SPL.
At LA audio show someone asked Andrew Jones how loud he was playing. Instead of answering, he asked the audience. Numbers were thrown in 80 to 90 db range. He then answered to everyone's shock that peak SPL was likely in 110 to 115 db!
We should also remember that we are talking about momentary peaks here. That kind of sudden peak is not going to get anyone thrown out of the room let alone have the neighbours complaining.
None of the data for noise levels is based on peak SPL. They are all slow averaging SPL data. Here is OSHA safety standards way of measuring SPLs:There may be a few people, with scant regard for their hearing or the peace and tranquility of their neighbours who might want to make more noise, but should music companies pander to those?
It is both a-weighted and slow averaged. Neither is in play when we are talking about peak values.
To that end, I think everyone's understanding SPL in this context is incorrect. Unless you have performed tests using peak reading SPL numbers, you don't have a good feeling and certainly no reference to know how loud that really is.
Peak SPL measurements are very rare. I know of three published studies and that is it. The best one is the one I have referenced here.
All of this aside, my theater is in my basement and with our large lots, I could play at any level and my neighbor would not even know I am home! We can't set standards for music transmission that disadvantage people who build such quiet spaces.
Regardless, all of this came about because we had to comply with a fixed format at 16/44.1. When distributing music online, there is no reason whatsoever to try to conform it to CD specs. Music should be released it its originally captured bit depth and sample rate. People can make their own conversion to 16/44.1 if necessary and so can the music distributor.