Originally posted by thtrog
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Fletcher and Munson were able to quantify the fact that at low volumes are ear-brain mechanism is more sensitive to midrange frequencies. As volume gets higher out ability to make out low and high sounds changes. In effect, we have a built-in EQ in our ear-brain mechanism that changes with volume.
The problem is this: The LOUDNESS contour circuit is designed for use at low level, but many people leave it on and forget it when they play their stereo at high volume. The electronics manufacturers defaulted to a simple on-off switch, but in truth the application of LOUDNESS should be applied differently at different listning levels. The only piece of electronics I ever saw that got it right was a very high-end Yamaha preamplifier we had in a listening lab at a former employer. Ironically, (and not intuitively) you set the volume control to some arbitrary level, and then the LOUDNESS control was used to set the volume you wanted to listen at. In this manner, the LOUDNESS contour was applied fully at lower levels, and as the level increased the efect diminished...
You mention that it sounded fuller at low level, and this is exactly how the LOUDNESS control should be used. For max output from your stereo system though, turn LOUDNESS off at high level, as it is literally just another EQ setting boosting bass and treble...
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