I used to have to listen loud until I got a good room. Now, listening at low levels can sound as good or better - depending on the recording - as at higher levels.
The old room was an asymmetrical 1200 sq ft of a 2,000 sq ft loft with a tin ceiling, brick walls, very large glass windows, hardwood floors. Lots of reflecting surfaces.
The new room is semi anechoic, symmetrical, with a pronounced gable roof, and 6” of rockwool in the walls, 17” in the ceiling, covered with burlap.
listening is in the 65 to 95 db range. Listening at a higher volume than 95 is uncomfortable, but not because the system is distorting.
The old room was an asymmetrical 1200 sq ft of a 2,000 sq ft loft with a tin ceiling, brick walls, very large glass windows, hardwood floors. Lots of reflecting surfaces.
The new room is semi anechoic, symmetrical, with a pronounced gable roof, and 6” of rockwool in the walls, 17” in the ceiling, covered with burlap.
listening is in the 65 to 95 db range. Listening at a higher volume than 95 is uncomfortable, but not because the system is distorting.