How loud is loud?


Seems like a rhetorical question, but I'm curious what other folks think is "ok, now that's loud"

For me, if something's hitting 100dB as measured from where I'm seated while listening, and not just for a brief moments, but with some regularity, that's loud.

I used to listen at higher average volume than I do these days. Typically, I'm finding that at the right volume, the recording is more nuanced then when it's running full throttle.

If I'm not mistaken, the late Peter Walker observed that every recording has it's one correct or optimum playback level. I think generally he was correct, though once we are willing to forge optimum there's a range of acceptable.
128x128zavato
Yes, if you experience any fatigue and/or loss of hearing sensitivity after a session, then it was definitely too loud, and care should be taken to not repeat those circumstances. If you ever experience ringing, then it was WAY too damn loud, and permanent hearing damage may have occurred.
When your neighbors slide on their knees and beg for mercy...then it is probably a bit loud.
85db from the listening position is loud enough.
This also the threshold for ear damage.
There are free apps for db meters.
100dB is as loud as it gets for me on most days. Occasionally I'll go for louder, but just because my system will hit 118dB peaks at my listening position before clipping doesn't mean I want to go there all the time!
On every single song I play, I ask myself, "If I were listening to this live, at what volume would it be played at?", and I adjust it accordingly.

I've been to a certain audiophile's house a few times. His system retails for well over $300K. Every time I go there, he plays everything back at very loud volume levels which sounds COMPLETELY unrealistic. Listening to his system leaves me wanting to hear my own instead.