Turn down the Volume!

(RIGHT ROOM) VOLUME (RRV).
 

Get the volume set right THEN NEVER CHANGE IT  Yup you read that right, once it’s set for a particular source you don’t change irrespective of the type of music.  RRV as I call it should become de facto but if isn’t  

As the OP points out this a rarely discussed issue BUT IT IS CRUCIAL to your listening enjoyment. 

I opened a similar discussion on another forum, which claims to know ‘what’s best’. They piled in. Couldn’t handle my reasoned arguments. The forum owner even challenged me to post some decibel readings coz he wouldn’t accept I was doing it right AND playing at decent sound levels, even in a small room. So I took his challenge posted three readings … and the coward backed down and closed the thread.  What a woos!

So yes RRV challenges the norm. But boy does it work.  Dial in your RRV and never touch that volume button again. Just enjoy the music. 

Even in my twenties I didn't like to have a stereo be so loud you couldn't hear someone else speak. All those decades later, I can't handle loud volume, period. 

Re this: "To me, one of the most important subjective measure of a system is how it sounds at low volume."

@larryi, how right you are! I've listened to low volume music while working in home office for 25+ years. I've had a number of systems over that time. I found that sealed/acoustic suspension designs + a subwoofer play better at low volume than ported designs. Never heard horns, ribbons, or other high efficiency designs, so can't comment on those.

At least in my home office, I get terrific low volume sound from either the ATC SCM 12 Pros or the vintage KEF 103.2s. And with either pair of speakers, on those occasions when I feel like cranking it, the walls shake.

Great sounding low listening levels are desirable if you want to call your system high-end. I'm going to get pissed if I have to play loud levels just to enjoy my music although some music begs to be played louder. Basically it should do both very well.

@mijostyn --

What about the rest? Every little detail is important, some more than others. ...

I didn't address my question about "the rest" to you, but rather aimed it at a general tendency in audiophilia to be less invested in a range of core parameters (i.e.: the rest) like dynamics, scale, size of presentation, ease, etc. 

I stated exactly what accurate is and it is a target to shoot at, a reference point. Although our audio memory stinks those of us who frequent live events on a regular basis and are paying attention usually have a good idea what accurate is even though we can not define it. We know when we hear it. 

You somehow got the derogatory idea about Mr. Turnbull's setup, through Mr. DeVore descriptions, that is was merely "enjoyable" sounding to the ears of a novice audience who were easily impressed, and opposed it with the more desirable high-end trait of "accuracy." I just found it a reductive remark and an odd takeaway from the video. Listen to what John has to say from 10:07:

The interesting observation I have made over the years is most people, even those who are not HiFi addicts know when they hear it.

Exactly; why would the ones who heard Mr. Turnbull's setup be less right in this regard?

@phusis , that is a very valid question which has a very politically difficult answer. Many people already think I am an arrogant SOB and from their perspective I am and nothing is going to convince them otherwise. So, in short,  Mr Turnbull's system is not even remotely close to accurate. This is not saying that it is not pleasing to listen to. I have spent decades listening to my own pleasingly inaccurate systems. The people who are listening are surprised a small system like that can sound so good, the Bose Effect. When presented with a current SOTA system you get comments like "G-d, it sounds like you are there!" "I have never heard anything like this before." I never knew a system like this existed" and so forth. You get the impression of a true sense of wonder. Does a system have to be really SOTA to generate this sort of reaction? No, but it is a good indicator. 

It all comes down to experience. Most audiophiles have not worked in the business and are busy with their own jobs and life. They have minimal exposure and very few systems are capable of the kind of performance I am talking about which again does not mean other systems are not pleasing to listen to. I worked in an ultra high end store and in my own experience I have only heard three systems that reached this level of performance.