What DB level is best for judging audio equipment?

I highest I listen is somewhere in the mid 80 db range and I can hear all the details and differentiation present in the music, done in a realistic fashion. At lower levels, it's all still there but just not in so convincing a manner.

Anything higher and the sound, though enjoyable, can break the lease on my apartment. 😄

I'm 65 and have some dips in my hearing acuity as well, but overall, I can hear things in certain ranges where the dips are, quite easily. It could be from a long time listening and knowing what to listen for. All of our senses improve, to some degree, from just practice and repetition. 

All the best,
Nonoise

I think you bring up a point I have tried to make before. You really need to be self-aware about your listening habits.

How do you listen? Is it background? Do you sit for hours? Is it at full range?

Do you need to keep it down so the rest of the household is not troubled?

That’s how you should listen. I mean, in terms of absolute performance, sure we can turn speakers up and see if they distort or compress, but do we actually listen like that? It’s like evaluating the family van at 120 MPH.

Also, honestly, some speakers perform better at different volumes. Dali and Dynaudio IMHO are much better low volume speakers. They often have built in curves which accentuate the treble and bass, making them ideal for quiet listening or those with loss. IMO B&W and Golden Ear are in this category too.

Lastly, evaluating how you actually listen can save you money. Why pay more to drive a car at 190 MPH when you never get to 70 MPH?

And to those of you who DO like a live concert experience, please don't come at me feeling butt hurt. I'm not attacking your listening style. If you like that, then evaluate that way, and make yourself happy. That's all I'm saying.

Best,
E

One of the very best listeners I ever knew, Stewart Marcantoni, never did play anything louder than about 80-85 dB. But that was Stewart. Me, I like to play at a level where its satisfyingly loud but below the level that starts to hurt or bring on listener fatigue. In other words it varies. But that was me. We're talking about you.

I need to crank it up to at least 90 DBs to hear a discernable difference.

Well there you go then. When you're trying to hear a discernable difference, crank it up to where you can hear a discernable difference.