A commercially available tape recording of “rock” music was played through ten popular stereo receivers to drive, in turn, four stereo earphone sets. The sound generated by each system combination was analyzed into ten 5‐dB bands. Results of the acoustic analysis indicated that all combinations of receiver earphones set for maximum output consistently exceeded established damage‐risk criteria. It was concluded that popular stereo components can be potentially dangerous to the hearing mechanism if operated at or near maximum power output.