Fear of volume control

AS we age, we lose higher, then middle frequencies.  Playing louder allows us to blend them better.  I often turn up the volume until just before the clipping indicators come on, then lower it about a notch.  Seriously 12-1:00.  I rarely go past 10, and my amp and preamps are matched sets.

Years ago when I was young & had a huge 2-channel system in the LR, I did very little low-volume listening. It was all medium volume on up. That was then...

Now with the constrained space desktop system in my home office, things are very different. I listen to low volume music ~60-70 hrs/week. I've been extremely lucky to find some components that play very well at low volumes. True, without a loudness contour switch the deep bass is harder to hear--but with a good sub and speakers that have robust mid- and lower-bass capability, enough bass comes through.

I've owned equipment that for one reason or other only sounded good at higher volumes. That was a dispiriting, futile feeling..."chasing" volume is proof that you need better equipment IMO.

As has been mentioned above, if the mixing and mastering engineers had good ears, the recording will sound most balanced at the level they used in the studio. Usually pretty damn loud.

@ rvpiano
Do you have a radio shack SPL meter?  If not, download a free SPL app on your phone and measure the volume you were accustomed to and then this newfound sweet zone?  I am very curious as to the two levels where you found this improvement.  I am usually in the 80-85db zone.  Sometimes when I have had a few drinks and put on a record that I really love I will get up in the 90s, but rarely more.

@millercarbon 
What levels have you suggested to get the most out of recordings?  I don't recall seeing your comments on this.

Dhite,

I’ve done some decibel testing. Right around 85db-90db at peak volume.