I've sat in the booths a tiny bar with a jazz big band taking up the entire floor. It was amazing, but if I played my system at that kind of volume it would seem crazy loud—even though my living room is larger than that bar. I think the microcosm of music idea applies, and it's more than compression and good gear. Live music has a different energy to it from recordings. I'm kinda glad. It's part of why I love going to hear live music.
Does loudness play a part in your appreciation?
I wish it weren’t so but listening at high volume (around 70 decibels) tends to make me get more involved in the music.
How about you?