music tolerence level (& clones vs. robots)
This is actually an extension of a forum I posted earlier about how we select songs for the rave, because I knew the rave would be the most appropriate place for loud music. Now, obviously, it shouldn't be so loud that the guy 2 floors down and 5 rooms across can hear the feather duster solo, but my personal music philosophy is that if it's soft enough to the point where I can hear you, it's not loud enough(this sounds like it would have some detrimental effects on my hearing, but so far it hasn't, surprisingly). In half a dozen years, when I may be able to attend AC, I will definitely be bringing my stereo, which has been known to tap a few toes and swing a few hips from a couple dozen yards away. What should I do about this, aside from bringing soundproofing and/or a set of noise canceling headphones?(speaking of which, does anyone know where i can find a pair of headphones that cancel sound coming from inside? cuz my sister is constantly complaining about my anglegrinder beats spilling off into her conversation.)
Oh, yeah, and me and this other dude are having a friendly argument about which is better: clones or robots? I'm personally on Team Robot, but I'd like to know some of you guys' opinions.
We really try to discourage music being played in public areas of the convention. There are inevitably complaints, especially if the music can be heard in a panel or other function.
As for in your hotel room, you can play whatever music you would like, provided it cannot be heard in the hallways or in other hotel rooms. This is simple courtesy.
To expound on what Kage said from a congoer perspective, it is REALLY, REALLY ANNOYING when people wander around the con with music blasting. You may think it's awesome when a couple people come over and comment on your choice of music, but the rest of us standing just out of earshot listening to either the very high end of screaming in heavy metal or an endless 'tikka tss tikka tss tikka tss tikka tss' of hi-hats over tinny speakers are cringing like someone's dragging their nails on a chalkboard.
Please, everyone who makes a habit of walking around the con carrying speakers and blasting music, invest in headphones.
Protocollie explains it very well.
I'd like to add that everyone has different tolerances to noises, as well. What you might think is perfectly acceptable (especially the "if I can hear you it's not loud enough" part), other people can be annoyed, and some people can actually suffer pain from loud and/or sudden noises (hyperacusis).
Let me add my voice to those who highly recommend bringing a good set of headphones. I, personally, have a nice studio set of KOSS TD/65 headphones and have been quite happy with them for over a decade.
Hmmm...it would be interesting to block off alternative rock lovers/techno beat enthusiats/etc. in such a way that no one would be bothered if their neighbor pumped up the tune-age a little, but I imagine there would be a bit of a problem getting people to their assorted areas, and disputes may arise where two music sections overlap or where music from one section spills off into someone else's room. Still, an interesting thought...
In theory, yeah, it's an interesting thought and not too far from what my college did with its housing (the segregation was based on volume control, not music type, but the point stands).
In practice...well, in practice, i think the hotel staff would be tearing their hair out if they tried to manage this issue, especially if you add in the tap dancing they're already doing with us and the folks who are staying around similar times and aren't even a part of the con. Plus i've known a fair number of folks that thought they were more tolerant of noise than they really were, and there are hotel staff who have to be in your area and could find the thumping bass pretty hard to take.
Basically, i think of staying at a hotel as being kind of like staying with your aunt martha who you don't know very well--you keep the place relatively tidy, you're polite to everyone, and you try not to do anything that might be a bother to someone else.
At Anthrocon, your stereo shouldn't be heard one room over or down. People will call Con Security to complain.
I know of no 'noise-canceling' headphones that cancel music leaking out. They stop ambient sound from leaking in.
Clones; especially if XY is changed to XX or vice versa.
Uh, my suggestion to you as far as not aggravating people is to turn the volume knob down and wear headphones. I listen to plenty of loud music and manage to keep it on the same city block as myself just fine.
I'm not sure what the connection is between you bringing your stereo to a hotel and the music at the dance, but to cover all the bases:
1) If people can hear it outside your room, it's too loud.
2) If you're in a common area and people who are nearby trying to do things unrelated to you are bothered by it (or even have to raise their voices to talk over it) it is too loud.
3) If you're in the zoo and anyone but you can hear it, it's too loud.
4) Don't bring a stereo to the dance.
I think that covers everything.
Also, on the topic of headphones that are properly shielded, most headphones that have full-ear cups will provide reasonable noise suppression when you're wearing them (even if they're loud as balls when they're off your ears.) I mostly invest in DJ cans (since they're geared towards my interests) and I can definitely say that the Sony MDR-V700DJs do a reasonably good job of muffling sound outside the headphones at fairly high levels. If you're listening to a lot of drum and bass, they're a good choice as they're tuned for DJ monitoring and are heavier on the low end without losing clear highs.
Awesome, thanks for the Sony headphones suggestion, Protocollie. I've been keeping an eye out for some quality new monitoring phones, and these are in a good budget range ($90 is better than Bose sets for $150+). And they swivel! 
I love my Playback 15's, though. They're so old and obscure that there's no info about the model on the web that I can find. Some kind of Japanese brand, massive 70's-style, plus L & R cups have individual volume knobs. Scored them at a garage sale about 14 years ago and they have seen some action. Really bad on the hi-fi sound reproduction, but luckily just loud enough to hear over the dancefloor's speakers (barely).
Robots!
I've brought battery-powered portable speakers the past few years, and have yet to encounter any issues from doing so. I'm not going out of my way to force music new music down others' throats, and I'm respectful of volume. When you're in the Zoo at 4 in the morning, nothing better to do, hanging out with artists/random dorks, a little music can be appreciated. I love being introduced to new music, and sharing my own tastes with others, and there are few better ways to do so than by offering to be a short-range DJ for a small group.
Just be considerate of others. A little tact goes a long way, especially at a furry convention. Also, don't try to battle others who might have speakers over volume. You'll probably look like a dick, and they probably didn't want you nearby to begin with.
Also, mechanically-enhanced clone. Best of both worlds.
Speaking as an official comment from your security staff:
You sound pretty reasonable, and we appreciate that. But there's no way for you to know what's a critical moment for staff communication and what's not. We wear radios with various sorts of one-ear headphones, and reception is often quite dicey. So my best advice is to avoid any area where there are lots of attendees working directly with staff - entry to the dealers room, registration, and so forth. Use your good sense, and things usually work out well.
Beyond that, we tend to be driven by complaints. If we get a single noise complaint about the music, we will sometimes ask you to turn it down SIGNIFICANTLY. Other times we'll ask you to turn it off IMMEDIATELY, usually because there's some high-priority issue we're trying to communicate on.
More broadly in re your hearing - it took over two decades for my own damage to accumulate enough that I noticed it. But once the damage is there, it's damaged forever. Take that for what you will.
I'm confused. Are you talking about playing music at a sanctioned event, or in your hotel room, or in a public area during the con?
~Tyrrlin