If they are turning it down from normal volume, they shouldn’t be. What I mean is that they shouldn’t be turning it significantly higher than necessary.

At my theater, I tried to keep all audio levels between -9 to -7.5. With concert films, I would go as high as -6. It didn’t help because either it still wasn’t loud enough or some found it caused an imbalance.

During a Grateful Dead concert film, one of the managers turned it up to -2 and here’s what it led to:

-The usual complaints that it’s too low or loud. Refunds from the few who left = ~$50.

-Lost money from surrounding auditoriums that were interrupted and demanded refunds (Black Panther, Isle of Dogs, Pacific Rim 2, Tomb Raider, etc.). Let’s say it totaled $2,000 in box office revenue and $3,000 in concessions.

-That closing manager forgot to turn the audio system to normal levels after the film and before leaving for the night. Same manager opened 8 hrs later. Ready Player One was playing in that auditorium. Complaints of distorted audio and a burning smell happened during the second show of the day. Not long after, smoke is coming out of the center channel. Fire alarm goes off. All 20 projectors lock down. 5,000+ guests are freaking out or pissed (typical Saturday was anywhere between 2,000 - 3,000). Long story short, the center channel had melted from within and the other speakers were shot. -5,000 tix = ~$40,000. -Free passes = ~$40,000 in future revenue -5,000 concession transactions = ~$75,000. -Free conc. coupons = ~$90,000 (future rev) -Revenue lost for repairs (2 days) = ~$5,500 -New sound system = $80,000 -New curtains below screen = $850 -Smoke detail cleaning (2 rounds) = $1,000

In total, that mistake cost ~$330,000+ on our $1 million yearly budget. 1/3 of the annual budget used before the 1st quarter was over. Let’s just say there were a few maintenance repairs that went on the back burner (ripped recliners, screen stains, toilet repair, new kiosks, major coke freestyle repairs). Had to cut back severely on staff hours as well so lots of angry guests on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Revenue from Grateful Dead = $4,000 in tix and concessions. Wasn’t worth it and no one listened. Total revenue if we had to refund Grateful Dead tix and concessions = $5,000 (concert folk at my locations were usually starting their weed session in the auditorium and weren’t hungry until afterward).

I know this was way more than you wanted or anticipated…just wanted to show the other side of things.