Alan, it's great that your former association with Dr. Toole at the NRC has allowed us to have the benefit of his knowledge here.

Okay Bruno, you heard Dr. Toole; get that mattress out of the bedroom and put it up on the wall behind you!

Incidentally Alan, the "auditory reflex" which you mentioned above, in which the ear tries to protect itself against very loud sounds(only partially successful, unfortunately)is briefly discussed by Dr. Toole at pp. 437-438 of Sound Reproduction.

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Enjoy the music, not the equipment.