I appreciate all the replies here.
in the main, my post was to raise awareness that simply using the unit “dB” in the various posts I read here (and elsewhere) without qualifying whether it’s dBA, dBC or dBZ can lead to confusion.
As other posters mentioned, I would reference dBA for safety related measures, but dBC when I’m adjusting my stereo or home theater performance.
As an example, I assume that the THX reference level of 85 dB and the Audyssey calibration level of 75dB are dBC measures, but I’m confused when posts reference these levels to ear safety. Adding to the confusion is the term dB SPL, which is referenced to the threshold of human hearing (and I assume to be unweighted).
If only the world was simpler….