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?

bobbydd

The db levels are informative to a point. What’s the ambient noise level of your room?

I don’t have to listen LOUD to get it, but if I crank it a bit more than mild, I’ll energize the room with the subs and can get more. It is not necessarily better, I listen to tonality, texture and a "filled in" dimensional sound- I usually start with the midrange anyway, if that isn’t grainless and transparent, I’m out. But in terms of volume level, depending on how loudly a particular level is cut into a specific pressing, there’s an ideal loudness level within a range. Beyond that, you aren’t going to get more. Is it a system failing? if so, I don’t care at this point.

Be happy, don’t worry. Or something.

Play it really loud and go outside to listen to it...as Neil Young yelled, "more barn." 

Since moving to an apartment I’m restricted to 80 dB.  I do not enjoy rock and blues as mush as when I played at 90 dB. However here’s the question .  Are we measuring dB as A or C rated values?