I don't think there is one. I listen as close to what I recall live instruments performing at because that's the experience I'm trying to get lost in, and that's the level dynamics tend to perform best at. I can't think of an instrument that can normally be played at less that 70dB. I think most will average around 75-85dB, with some like drum kits going past 100dB depending on how they are played. Lively horns can be very loud as well.

Gotcha. People have told me that I tend to listen loud, generally in the 80dB-90dB range according to my sound meter app, it just sounds more lively.

5 headphones I just don't like:

AKG 701 - They have some weird resonance in the upper mids that just grates on me. Otherwise OK, but I just can't get around this.

ETY ER4 - I am always amazed that some folks see this as some kind of a reference, like "Obviously, it's totally accurate and the IEM all others are judged by". To me, it's dull and sharp simultaneously, undynamic, opaque, bland, uninvolving and must have some kind of distort-o-matic circuit that adds a layer of nasty on top of it all. But at least it has weak bass... I use mine only for spoken word recordings (I kid you not) on the train when I need good isolation.

ANY OF THE OLD STAX/AUDIO TECHNICA ELECTRET PHONES - Back in the day, the Stax electrostatics were about the only really good phones you could get. These were a big step down and in my mind, Stax should have never put their name on them. Something for the punters, I guess.

ANY GRADO THAT WASN'T THE HP-1000 OR THE CHEAP ENTRY LEVEL ONE - These aren't "I can't wait to tell my buddies about them" bad, but with so many other alternatives, why?

SENNHEISER IE-8 - Bassimus Maximus, all over the lower mids. And that's with the adjuster set for minimum bass! Aside; what's the point of an adjuster if it goes from way too much to mega too much? The only way to get them somewhat listenable was to b-a-r-e-l-y poke them into your ears.

Things I probably shouldn't like, but think are decent/OK

BEYER DT-48 (non 5 ohm, please) - You can tell what is wrong with these in about 30 seconds. But if you can make it past that, there are actually some redeeming characteristics here. Fast (probably because there is little bass), clean and clear and positively errrr... OK. Well built and in an odd way, revealing.

FAD 1601 IEM - Again, most folks will give this a quick listen and bow out and I can understand. But there are certain things they did that were unusual in my experience for IEM's. There were plenty of problems, no deep bass, an upper midrange hole, a rolled off treble with a bit of treble peak sting. But, an articulate midrange, great dynamics for IEM's and a spacious soundstage, uniqely so in my experience to now (again, for IEM's). To get this required a particular set of tips (the white ones with the slots) and careful insertion but when everything swung their way, a really compelling listen, in my view.

ZERO TENORE - Positively OK! Cheap and cheerful. They never sound great, but always sound good. If you lose them, oh well... For music on the train, I unplug the ER4's and plug these in (unless I have my AKG 3001 with me).

Things I like despite themselves

SENNHEISER HD-650 - After all this time, shouldn't these just be too long in the tooth to be competitive? But they are. They more than hold their own in todays market, which I suppose makes them a classic.

FAD PANDORA HOPE VI (or whatever they call them) - Oh no, another FAD! Well, I bought them on a hunch and I really enjoy them. I keep waiting for some bizarre disqualifying FAD sonic thing to raise its head, but so far it hasn't happened. It's like they decided "whats the most off the wall thing we could do at this point?" and the answer was make something kinda normal. Of course, there is a mechanical issue, while they are well built, the sliders for the cups tend to be loose, there HAD to be something! I handed them to a reviewer friend who needed a pair of cans and wasn't familiar with them and after he was done he said "What headphones were those? They sounded pretty good." Who'd a thunk it?

Kevin

5 headphones I just don't like:


ZERO TENORE - Positively OK! Cheap and cheerful. They never sound great, but always sound good. If you lose them, oh well... For music on the train, I unplug the ER4's and plug these in (unless I have my AKG 3001 with me).

I jumped on the hype train and was fairly well impressed the first few times I listened.  Then tried with cheap amp and they got very thin and really hard to get volume.  I guess I am a more colored response kinda guy.  They are gone now and back to my modded cheap HA-FX46 for now

ETY ER4 - I am always amazed that some folks see this as some kind of a reference, like "Obviously, it's totally accurate and the IEM all others are judged by". To me, it's dull and sharp simultaneously, undynamic, opaque, bland, uninvolving and must have some kind of distort-o-matic circuit that adds a layer of nasty on top of it all. But at least it has weak bass... I use mine only for spoken word recordings (I kid you not) on the train when I need good isolation.

Which ER-4? P, S, or B? The ER-4P sounded like you described to me. The S adapter seemed to allow the midrange to open up and the detail, microdynamics, plankton etc all went through the roof. Bass became tighter. Still a bit dull sounding up top somehow though?? I don't really get it. They're fine for at work, I suppose.