The Low Volume Loudness Dilemma

@mapman & @ all y'all....

Ironic that every system sounds different,  even with “purists”

 I can't agree....even at gunpoint.

As one who has applied octave (later, parametric) eq's to compensate/correct 'for the room' since the late '70s' (tweaking for taste, of course), the lack of tone controls on any piece of 'primary equipment' has not been of of an issue.
It all began with a Audio Control C-101 oct eq with an RTA and the calibrated mic and the onboard pink noise generator....

Currently:

- 2 Behringer 8024 eq with DSP; 31 oct each + parametric eq's if desired.  One runs part of the 'show', the other 'just listens' with it's RTA and feeds to the 2nd 'puter with it's 'sndpeak' program that's running RTA, Lissajous, and the 'normal' db v. fq display in RT.

- The curve from the soundcard that I run 'flat', since it's early in the line...

- a DBX eq that I haven't bothered with.....

- the active Behr X-over that I've exploring to send What to Where....and I've got lots of where's to fart about with....

I can only and desire only to amuse myself....

You?

Come Here.

The beer is up to You.  Any 'adult enhancements' ditto....surprise me.

'Til then, bite me.

(...no, I'm not in a good mood...)

I'm in the camp of finding the proper speaker unless your room is a cluster. I have the Studio Electric M-5 and almost every time I start out loud and gradually settle in to much less volume. Maybe it's my tired ears but less does seem better. Powered by hybrid Modwright integrated. 

One caveat certain songs do call for increased volume regardless. 

@jpwarren58 

One caveat certain songs do call for increased volume regardless.

....and frequently.... ;)

...some are good for curvy curves on the asphalt...

Rubber side down.

"Purists" are idiots. Unless you know exactly the volume the mastering engineer was playing a track, and have your room set up EXACTLY the same as they as they did with EXACTLY the same speakers, amps, and all associated gear, then I don’t care if your stereo cost $200K. You still have no way of knowing if what you are hearing remotely resembles what the mastering engineer was hearing.

Just fiddle all you want with EQ to "get the job done" in a way that you can enjoy the music at whatever volume you decide to listen.

All the fruits and nuts of the 1990s that purportedly called themselves "audiophiles" and had manufacturers do away with tone controls were clueless about real world sound and all the issues involved.

Efficient speakers that sound god-awful and "shouty" at regular volumes (i.e. most Klipsch) might sound full and dynamic at a lower one. YMMV. 

@travelinjack 

You just described what I love the most about the Variable Loudness knob on Yamaha gear.

Exactly!