Does loudness play a part in your appreciation?

It's a great question actually. I've wondered about this myself some lately.  

A friend and I were comparing listening sessions recently and I realized we like to listen at different volume levels. And, thoughts around how each of our systems will sound different if he's listening at 80db and I'm listening at 70db most of the time.  

My system's character changes overall when comparing 65,70,75,80-85db listening levels. I don't care for how my current system sounds when the volume level is turned up really loud. My level of interest and engagement drops notably.

For the most part,I enjoy the music I'm listening to regardless of volume level.HOWEVER,there are many times when a song triggers associated memories..Most all the time,those songs are of the variety that are high energy & I'll turn that volume knob clockwise which does seem to add to the enjoyment factor...

For me, the perception that the volume could be recreating near the original volume makes listening real. I realistically also listen to most music at that 70 to 75 db range, but I have pulled the meter out to occasionally find myself in the low to mid 80s. So it depends on the music.

Under 65 db my system doesn't really come alive, due perhaps, to the size of my space. Over 75 db is too loud for me. 70 is about right.

Probably because of scar tissue on both eardrums, but even with hearing aids I need peaks at 85db to absorb all I'm capable of hearing. That's an improvement just in the past year, attributable to to an amp upgrade, 85 has now become the new 95.

@rvpiano ,

I don’t think 70db is “loud”. I designate that as “enjoyable”. I listen to anywhere between 65db to 75db, like you rightly said, to “make me get more involved in the music”.

I listen mostly at 70-80dbs at my listening position and every now and then I’ll crank it up to 90db peaks, but that’s rare.

Went and saw a local Pink Floyd cover band a few weeks ago.  Really excellent show with a crazy amount of special effects and props. The ear plugs only came out for the intermission and then they went right back in.  
 

I sure don’t remember my ears hurting like this in my teens and twenties.

I used to feel the need to play my music loud. But when I bought my new speakers one of the criteria I set was low volume listening. I find that I have really grown used to a much lower volume and less fatigue than before. I bought Sonus Faber Olympica Novas and find they deliver a full spectrum top to bottom. However there are certain cuts, e.g. Stranglehold by Nugent that just require higher volume although the quality remains the same. 
I guess as I have gotten older my ears have become more valuable than when I was younger. If only I had figured that out earlier in life. And that applies to just about everything.

I’m very protective of my hearing, so only very limited rare occasions large volume is used.   

It's all good enjoy it all no matter what the volumn.osha has the standard of 80 db for 8 hour exposure above that prolonged can cause hearing problems. I ill turn it up > 100 db but only a song or two. Have fun enjoy life cuz sometimes it's too short.

Well I am a bit weirded out as I just a few minutes ago started a thread called "Listening Levels & Musical Styles" in this very sub forum...I did a search to see if there were any similar threads but didn’t see yours..Great minds thinking alike I guess...

Low volume is for elevator music. 75 to 80 db hits the spot and is still easy on the ears.

I tend to roll in the 65-75db in my small room and 75db can be quite loud but it sure does sound good.

There’s always a certain volume level that each of us achieves for one's correct amount of bloom for an enjoyable listening session.

Around 70/75db  seems to be a sweet spot. Appropriatley loud for most music. The lower it is the less resolution. Turning down the volume knob is like stepping down on the brake pedal. Less of everything. Low level listening is ok for background low resolution music.

At parties there are moments, later in the evening after a few shots, that a few songs get played 'hard' at loud volume. I admit I love the tightness of the bass and over all sound is impressive but only for a minute or two for demonstration. It is fun!

For me 70-75 is loud.  I don’t listen to rock.

Please answer the question on the basis of is what is loud for you.

For my age, my hearing is great.

Very funny. High volume is 90+db.

I remember when in my early twenties hanging out at a high end audio store with the two salesmen while cranking their demo system. We chuckling and slapping each other on the back when we were able to see the spl meter hit 120db with their Klipschorns. That’s loud. Sounded terrible. The noise floor was probably 95db. 

More than once, at that age, young and stupid. The mark of a good system was it could crank over 100db. Usually not sounding good at all, because of the incredibly high noise floor and tremendous distortion. 

These days 65 to 75db is my normal volume. Although once in a great while it is fun to crank it to 85db on some old punchy rock and roll. Fortunately my system sound great at either level. Some youngsters came over to listen to my system and had it cranked over 95... sounded great... as I was quickly vacating the room.

High volume and 70db should not be used in the same sentence. Enjoy the music