Who knows how much damage sitting twenty feet from those huge stage PA speakers at inummerable rock concerts did to our hearing. I can no longer be exposed to very loud music as it causes physical pain. I believe it is a direct result of playing in Rock bands for thirty years as well as concerts. Wish I would have wore those hearing protectors when I had the chance. As far as Rock levels with SD; I tried it and just noticed the sound took on a one note strained quality that wasn't pleasent. These were the Decwares, the better ones. I have heard Lowthers and would not want to push them with heavy rock duties.