A "good" system can sound annoyingly loud well before distortion sets in, to think otherwise is foolish. My main listening rig is a 12wpc amp with 99 db speakers that will play loud and clean using a few watts 9 feet from my ears...In the pro live stuff I do I never push the systems to distortion and they can be VERY loud for large room coverage...that's why the speakers are mounted well above the heads of people in the seats nearer the systems.
What do you consider "loud" for your system?
Just curious about this. I recently listened to the SACD version of Dark Side of the Moon. My volume level was at approximately 65% of full throttle. On my handy little Radio Shack Sound Level meter, I registered and average 90db with peaks of 96db. That was using the "C" weighted setting. Basic info - I sit 10' feet from the front of the speakers. The room is 15' X 23' with 8' 6"ceiling height. It was enjoyably loud, but not ear shattering. What do others consider "loud" and at what volume level?