Newb query #2 - volume

[dmkerr]

What role does volume play in noise?  Is it essential to listen at earsplitting levels to realize its true potential?  Does anyone listen at moderate levels?

Thanks in advance!

[acsenger]

I listen to all music at what I consider moderate levels. I enjoy the physicality of music that good speakers provide at reasonable volume but if it's too loud, it's no longer enjoyable for me. Same with headphones.

[GEWALTMONOPOL]

For home experience let the volume be at your leisure. For live use let the PA (or amp) be massive and live free like the animals. Derailing the thread perhaps but there are few things more disapointing than to not be given copious amounts of volume when playing live. I know some people take pride in playing at low volumes. Not me. I want it loud, all encompassing and destructive. The option should be there for each and every one if required.

[dmkerr]

Thanks for the replies.  I like the music to fill my listening space completely but not be domineering about it.  At a live show, I tend to be towards the back (gotta protect my old ears!) and that works quite nicely.  Using my Sennheiser 'phones, I tend to listen quieter.  They are more revealing than my speakers and there's a plethora of overtones and nuances that appear at quieter volumes that get lost in the shuffle of excessive loudness.

[moozz]

For live use let the PA (or amp) be massive and live free like the animals. Derailing the thread perhaps but there are few things more disapointing than to not be given copious amounts of volume when playing live. I know some people take pride in playing at low volumes. Not me. I want it loud, all encompassing and destructive. The option should be there for each and every one if required.

This is the main reason I go see artists live, to really FEEL the sound. On the move or at home moderate or even low volume (people around me rarely share my taste in music) but live the louder the better. I do wear earplugs at shows but that doesn't remove the physical aspect of the sound I enjoy.

[FreakAnimalFinland]

I recall there may have been discussion of volume. Or it may be related to discussion of equipment of listening.
I prefer to listen on speakers, almost exclusively. Volume must be loud enough to cover distractions potentially existing in surroundings. I may not blast at "live" volume at home, but comparing to a lot of people who I visited, perhaps as house owner you go for more than those in apartment.

I think noise of any kind, should be more about tone of sound than sheer volume. After certain level, anything sounds good when it's just loud. However, quiet live shows tend to leave a lot missing...

[Cementimental]

For live use let the PA (or amp) be massive and live free like the animals. Derailing the thread perhaps but there are few things more disapointing than to not be given copious amounts of volume when playing live. I know some people take pride in playing at low volumes. Not me. I want it loud, all encompassing and destructive. The option should be there for each and every one if required.

Well said. Even if people choose to play quiet/with lots of dynamics the option of loudness should be there.

Once or twice i've actually turned my stage mixer down because it was just too much :D but usually it's the same tiresome situation of gesticulating to the sound guy to turn it up during the start of every set, often to discover he's wandered off entirely. :-/