The argument that people play their music too loud is flawed. If you were to measure SPLs in a small venue of unamplified musicians, say a jazz or folk group, you might be surprised at how high the peak levels, not the average, are. Similarly, a full orchestra can reach very high levels on some works. Even a string quartet can be quite loud. Ever sit twenty feet from a guy wailing away on his drum kit?
Maybe what's really happening is people are listening to distortion that's too loud. Odd order distortion gives false loudness cues. Remove it and you can listen at higher levels without realizing it.
Many loudspeakers are designed for an even tonal balance around 85 dB or slightly less. Speakers that don't lose detail and significantly vary in frequency response relative to the Fletcher-Munson law at different levels can avoid such limitations.
Maybe what's really happening is people are listening to distortion that's too loud. Odd order distortion gives false loudness cues. Remove it and you can listen at higher levels without realizing it.
Many loudspeakers are designed for an even tonal balance around 85 dB or slightly less. Speakers that don't lose detail and significantly vary in frequency response relative to the Fletcher-Munson law at different levels can avoid such limitations.