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

Also, it becomes necessary to protect people from themselves. In this case, many people may have just left the loudness switch in the on position regardless of volume. This could result in damaging a speaker or at least distorted sound. When I was in the army from 1975 to 78, this was the golden era of receivers. Everyone had one! Guys would blast them all night and weekend long! People were returning them damaged to the PX left and right. (The PX asked no questions. All were covered under warranty). Getting rid of the loudness switch was maybe one small way of dumbing the receiver down. There was a standing joke in the army; They used to write "TGIF" on the inside of our boots. Toes go in first! Joe

bluorion122 posts06-06-2020 5:54amI had a Denon integrated amp many years ago with a loudness button---loved it at lower volumes. I'm looking into getting a new integrated soon and the Luxman integrated is my #1 choice since they still have a loudness button. I wish the new Yamaha's had them.

The Luxman integrated amps are great, far beyond the inclusion of the Loudness button.

I usually listen to music at low levels (SPL) and miss the equalization that a Loudness control provides. Unfortunately, any alteration of the sound is frowned on by the audiophile community, despite the need defined by the Fletcher-Munson curves.

"ebm is probably right ie most people never understood or used it."

I suspect those who have it use it but are ashamed to admit it in front of others. Of course, not many have it.

I never use tone controls, but I do use loudness button at times.

"...a single volume amp designed and built by Pierre’s partner Ron Bowman. No volume control, no tone control."

That is how some of us used CD players with variable outputs. We did not need amplifier's volume control.