What else should you trust but your ears, unless of course you are doing an audiogram test? Certainly not 'scientifically' obtained measurements.
I note that a LOT of folks want to apply measurements in the electronic devices that measure the sources, i.e. audio equipment, and the sonic characteristics of the room using sound level meters. They get to think that the figures should be absolute in determining the results, forgetting I think, that if their audiogram aren't correlated to the sound of the instruments/room they really have nothing much to offer when accessing what his ears are telling him. They may be a rough guideline for someone who understands his hearing acuity. Ergo my purchase dollar is controlled by my ears, especially when compared to my eyes. :-)