There's a relationship between distance, volume, and reflected sound. You can tell the difference between someone talking 3 feet away and someone yelling 50 feet away even if the volume is the same. If what you're hearing sounds like someone playing an instrument 50 feet away but the volume sounds like it's 10 feet away that's an unrealistic element.
What is the proper loudness for listening?
Paul McGowan via YouTube claims that each room, system and recording has a specific sound level at which music sounds most "real"
I've noticed this myself listening to my 3 different systems set up in differing rooms. Thought I was crazy to think so but I guess maybe I'm not?
Also, have notice in smaller listening rooms that lower maximum volume levels sound more real. Going too high on volume in a small room just overloads it and results in distortion
Any comments?