I agree with Kumakahn, I like to evaluate a system at low levels. If you need to crank it to get the frequency extremities its not for me as I listen at low levels. One thing I do notice about low level listening is the room plays less of a role as does vibration, so the effectiveness of feet etc. However, tweaks or cable changes etc seem harder to distinguish.
Does It have to be loud?
Are you also under the impression that when people (or
manufacturers) demo their equipment, they maintain sound pressure levels
between 90-100 Dba. In general this is done in rooms being too small, and
therefore the room will heavily interact with the sound heard in that room.
Often, when you ask to lower the volume, the actual result is better, and –most
likely- provides you with the information you were looking for. So, my question here is, do you also prefer
to listen in the 90-100 dba range? Or do you –like myself- like to listen in
the 70-90 dba sound pressure range? Of course, I’m referring to sound pressure
levels at the listening position, which –in my case- is about 4 meter away from
the speaker.