What is the proper loudness for listening?

"A whisper is about 30 dB, normal conversation is about 60 dB, and a motorcycle engine running is about 95 dB. Noise above 70 dB over a prolonged period of time may start to damage your hearing. Loud noise above 120 dB can cause immediate harm to your ears." CDC

Assuming above is true, seems normal conversation 60 dB is minimum to hear into the music and maybe 70 dB is the safe recommended max.  Anything above that and you get into risk/reward, and risk tolerance is highly subjective.  I'm risk adverse and am very protective of my hearing from damaging sounds - excessive dB levels, not the sound of a nagging spouse :)

@mapman That’s certainly true. I have a higher end system in a medium size superb listening room. I prefer listening in the 80s db range with 100db maximum peaks, depending on music. No distortion problems. I can also enjoy music at low levels and in-between due to the great tonal/colorful sound as well as relative dynamics of the recording. This is more true of my classical music than jazz and then of my rock music. There is a range of loudness which is preferred for typical listening versus background listening. I occasionally listen to music laying down on a couch with the music playing in the 60 or 70 db range. Can’t sleep because the dynamics, color and resolution of the performances keep me aware/awake.

It’s good to have a great audio system and room. More levels of enjoyment.

P.S. I was tested last year, at age 66, with a frequency range up to 16kHz, exceeding the typical 66 year old (limit of test equipment range).  I have avoided 100+db sounds all my life (except cap guns as a child), no rock concerts or using heavy equipment without hearing protection.  80db listening over 6+ decades did not negatively impact my hearing, minimum listening time is 2 hours nightly and up to 10 hours studying/reading in my teens and 20s. 

There is no one volume.  Brian Eno made recordings where he prefers 

the volume level to drop off completely.  Then there's Kuma's Corner, a bar in the Avondale neighborhood in Chicago where the proper volume is ear bleeding, brain damaging loud.  Fantastic burgers and beer and drinks choices.  Just bring earplugs and come on a warm night when you can sit outside.  You'll still need the earplugs though.

What is the proper loudness for listening?

                  Whatever floats YOUR boat.

Your age!

60-70’s on the Decibel Meter ap set on “C” for me. I guess I have young ears…80’s + just too much of a good thing and need to left to short stints.