The test made on the monitors.
86 db is my monitor SPL level for “club alike” rendering .
96 db is not even thinkable and that would require ear plugs.
Most people mix between 73 and 80 db spl at their listening spot in their studios.
Much lower for the most part.
Anything else higher then 85 db spl is starting to be ear damaging on the long run and we run sessions for 12 and 16 hours regularly when we are active .
With a typical crest factor of 13 dB, then the 96 dB peaks happening when the RMS SPL is in the 83 dB range.
Of one wants 90dB SPL out of the speaker then it is in the 100dB+ range.
But if that 96dB speaker is defined as being at 1M, and the listener is in a big room away from the speakers… then they are not by definition walking out deaf and dumb. They may only be hearing an 80dB SPL.
In the club at 96dB, those speakers are usually a ways away, and there output at 1M is more likely in the 110dB range.
Similarly it is louder at a concert when one is nearer the speaker stack.