How do you listen?

Low to moderate volumes gives me the most enjoyment.  Trying to recreate a musical event you are dealing with how the material was mixed, the source the speakers, you're room...I think it's impossible and how long can one listen to high levels of SPLs in a box of a room?  10-20, maybe 30 minutes before getting fatigued?   I can listen and enjoy at lower volumes. I listen for pleasure, not perfection. I do still want accurate tone though.

My volume varies significantly between type of listening, type of music and time of day.

As my system has changed over the years - and distortion has dropped it seems quieter even though the volume as measured in dbs is in the 80s.

To each their own...

No layman has much of an idea of just how loudly musical performances are in a given acoustic space.  They almost always under or over estimate.

I was surprised when I took a sound level meter (there is an inexpensive one called SPL Meter available for iPhone from Apple that is actually pretty decent).

Especially with classical and other acoustic music, there is a large dynamic range and it is easy to mistake what the level is by ear alone.

I moved to an apartment; was worried about  lower volume listening and pleasantly surprised that I still enjoy the music. I hear more and do not suffer the need to tweak.  Higher volume excites the room requiring acoustic treatment et al.  Sure I miss bass impact sometimes but overall I’m happy. Unlikely that I will listen at higher volumes in future should I move to a house. 

There seems to be a consensus-75 to 80ish db.
That is exactly how I listen. Going to the symphony, I have never had the experience of feeling the sound was too loud. Unlike listening to my system.
Rock concerts are a different experience. Especially close to the PA.
Maybe that is similar to being close to my system speakers?