Do you push your system?

[gadawg]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Nope, I don't push my system.

I just can’t even begin to imagine ...

George

[Sharp 1080]

Absolutely I push it. Not every session but on those occasions where it should sound realistic.

[Beet Farmer]

When I was younger I would play some music a lot louder. But now I live in an "Over 55" apartment complex. It is wonderfully quiet here. No noise from other tenants at all. And I have to say I love that aspect of life here. So I try to do MY best to never disturb anyone else in return. Even my choice of speakers, Magnepan... Since the bass seems to not go through walls as easily as most cone based speakers.
The main problem is the bass going through walls. So I actually do not play any music with strong bass and a even bass beat. Any syncopation in the beat and the problem drops considerably for annoyance levels.
My big love of LOUD is Opera arias.. Particularly climaxes with groups singing. Like Barber Of Seville (Rossini) I play those pretty loud since they have little bass.
Generally I am playing music at 55dB C weighted on a Radio Shack meter at listening position. Up to 70dB.. Big and loud for me is 80dB.
I have found listening at these levels the realism is there, but it takes time to enjoy it. Usually when someone turns the level down it really is a huge loss, IMO due to just not being used to it.
I certainly would be playing some music louder if I were in my own home...

[PleasantSounds]

I find it that the better my gear gets, the lower volume I need to fully enjoy it.

[MrG]

I really have enjoyed mulling over the music that I reach for when I want to feel that chest thumping drum snapping you are there vibe. Thanks for the post.
I am going to take some liberties with your question. Push the watts? With 105 db efficient satellite speakers and a 102 db subwoofer I can't really push the watts very far for very long so lets say .5 for a short term party max with 8 watts for headroom. I tri-amplify the system with a total of about 500 watts on tap. There are however a number of songs that just call to me to be played loud. Here is a sample:
Thelma Houston & Pressure Cooker : I've got the Music in Me from Sheffield Lab 2
Mannheim Steamroller : Toccata from FreshAireIII
Bakithi Kumalo : Twilight Fire from Transmigration
Joe Cocker : Unchain my heart from Unchain My Heart
Dire Straits : Money for Nothing from Brothers in Arms
Infected Mushroom : Almost anything from Army of Mushrooms
Keb'Mo : The worst is yet to come from BluesAmericana