My observation, no big shock here, is that there is not a single answer that applies to everyone.
In my own case, the tone, especially for piano, saxophone, trumpet, and snare drums has to be right...or I find my mind wondering away from the music and thinking about "fixes".
On the other hand, I have two friends who don't care so much about the tone. For one, its all about the bass; if it isn't pushing him into his chair, then he isn't happy. For the other, its all about the volume; it has to be loud and anything below 90db just doesn't sound right to him.
In my own case, the tone, especially for piano, saxophone, trumpet, and snare drums has to be right...or I find my mind wondering away from the music and thinking about "fixes".
On the other hand, I have two friends who don't care so much about the tone. For one, its all about the bass; if it isn't pushing him into his chair, then he isn't happy. For the other, its all about the volume; it has to be loud and anything below 90db just doesn't sound right to him.