You're probably listening too loud

Modern acoustic instruments are nearly always designed to fill large acoustic spaces. They are loud instruments. Unless it's a purist recording with two microphones suspended in mid-air at a distance from the performers, typical recording technique is to position the microphones inches from the instrument. I argue that this combination of instrument type and recording technique allows the in-home audio playback SPLs to be lower than the performance SPLs amd still retain sufficient detail and immediacy. It's also my experience that purist recordings need to be played at high volume levels in order to sound correct.

The recommended guidelines set by OSHA is mainly applicable at the workplace, probably in construction sites where most noise is present. With sound levels approaching to those levels, employers are encouraged to provide protectors such as earplugs or earmuffs to workers exposed to this sort of environment where most would like to avoid.

The American Hearing Research Foundation and NIDCD have advised against continuous exposure to loud noise at 85dB or above to avoid noise-induced hearing loss(NIHL). It was further noted that approximately 15 percent of Americans, approximately 26 million between ages 20 to 69 have high frequency hearing loss that may have been caused by exposure to loud sounds, noise at work or in leisure activities. All individuals are recommended to practice good hearing health in everyday life and acknowledge the noise level limits to prevent NIHL or permanent damage.

And while I know plenty of people who do, I believe one who listens at less than 80 dB, where the frequency spectrum is beginning to come into balance, is truly kidding themselves in trying to wear the badge of "audiophile". That person leaves an incredible amount of music outside of what is actually taken in.

Although there is certain truth behind losing a lot of details in the music when listening below 80dB, I am not too sure whether this would disqualify the person from being an audio enthusiast. As much as I would like to enjoy listening at levels above 80dB for extended periods(occasionally I still do), I have refrained from doing so too much these days as I now suffer from a mild hyperacusis due to constant exposure to very loud music probably in the region of 100dB during my younger days. My ENT doctor has informed that there isn't any cure for this hyperacusis and advised against listening to loud music at prolonged sessions to avoid any discomfort to the ears and potential damage in the long-run. The specialist thought I was working in a nightclub or something when I told her I often listen to music at high volume levels that has caused discomfort to my ears.

My advice is enjoy your music the way you like it but try to avoid listening at high levels over a long period of time. Your ears may be fine when you are young but will constantly deteriorate with age, further accelerated by continuous exposure to loud sound that may inevitably lead to immediate hearing loss or permanent damage depending on how loud is your music and how long you listen.

Speaking of noise and NYC:

(1) One thing I hate about Yankees and Mets games is the incredibly loud P.A. systems (the bad food, cramped seats and poor pitching also hinder the experience). A lot of young people go to ball games and presumably the din is something that makes them feel like they're part of a big show, but it is off putting to me. Shea was really bad.

(2) Every morning, thousands of people walk past locomotives idling on the platforms at Grand Central on their way to the 47th Street exit - my God is it loud, especially when you're sandwiched between two of them. One day, I'll bring my SPL meter - it has to be well north of 100 db. It's nasty.

PS - But not as nasty as "YMCA" turned up to about 120 db. at Yankee Stadium.

If it sounds fatiguing and is not normally, then it is probably too loud.

If its not too loud but still causes fatigue and the desire to stop listening, then there are probably things happening in the reproduction that are not desirable and things will sound better at reasonable volumes if the problems are addressed.

Obviously louder is harder on the ears in general, but I would not be prepared to make any judgements about any particular volume being inherently better sounding than another.

I would say that having a naturally quiet listening room is of clear benefit in regards to being able to listen at lower volume without distraction or other external noises infringing into the listening experience.

IMO, lower levels of system distortion allow lower listening volumes with detail equivalent to what one would hear at louder volumes.

Ironically, if a system requires the volume to be increased to hear sufficient detail, then often the same system will seem too loud sooner than the system with less distortion that allows detail to be heard at lower volumes.