I attended the Capital Audiofest for the first time last Fall, and most of the systems on display were (IMO) playing way too loud, so loud that the midrange and above were "grainy" sounding, not musical or pleasing at all! It was like the systems were "shouting" at us.
In some cases, it seemed that the equipment could handle the volume, but it was too loud for the room.
Having said that, some music only "comes to life" when played just above 90db or so, the impact of crescendo from a large symphony orchestra...and of course many rock and roll bands. But when the system is "blasting", I found you can't hear any of the detail in the recordings, really detracting from musical enjoyment.
In some cases, it seemed that the equipment could handle the volume, but it was too loud for the room.
Having said that, some music only "comes to life" when played just above 90db or so, the impact of crescendo from a large symphony orchestra...and of course many rock and roll bands. But when the system is "blasting", I found you can't hear any of the detail in the recordings, really detracting from musical enjoyment.