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Loudness - Why has the industry stopped producing amplifiers with this feature any longer?

I listen to music at all times of the day and night (solid sleep eludes me the older I get).  My favorite times are when the family is gone and I can select the listening level, mostly moderate to higher volumes.  But the simply fact is I find myself listen at lower levels much more often then my preferred listening mode.

Piggybacking on a discussion regarding low level listening here on Audiogon, I'm posing the question:  Why has the majority of industry stopped producing amplifiers with this feature any longer?

I look forward to your input
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asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,598 posts
 
....and there's always an 'outboard eq' that could be pressed into the mix to provide a remedy as desired.

Outboard, in the computer, octave, parametric....the 'loudness' switch basically acted like a parametric 'bump' in the lower frequencies.

Yes, it's not just 'a flip of the switch', but if you miss it, you Can have it back. *S*
builder3
758 posts
 
I imagine manufacturers stopped including it to cut costs, figuring correctly that most wouldn't complain. Like erik, I have it, use it when appropriate.
chip_2950
12 posts
 
Just for kicks...  Check out Luxman integrated and control amplifiers.  They have well designed Loudness circuits.  
vermonster
20 posts
 
I sold Yamaha hi-fi in mid 70's.   They taught the concept based on the Fletcher-Munson curves and it worked well.  You set your maximum comfortable volume first, then turned it down with the loudness control.  (Variable, not just a switch).  I bet somebody to write an accurate digital version that could be an add-on feature for a miniDSP unit.
mlsstl
1,436 posts
 
As others have noted, loudness controls (and tone controls) are out of fashion.

So, remember - loudness / tone controls = bad

All other manner of changing the audio quality of your system -- speaker wires, cables, etc.  = good.
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