I know the feeling, but for my system -25 dB hits 95dB spl in my room with M80's and that's LOUD. I recently auditioned the system for a board member and the loudest we had the volume was -28dB and most of the demo was at -32dB and after the 1.5 hours that the demo lasted my ears were ringing. When I first got my system hooked up I, too, thought that they needed to be played loud in order for them to sound their 'best'. But now after lots of tweeking and calibrations and 10-300Hz test tones they really sound just as amazing at much lower volume levels and even better when turned up. Keep playing with your settings, I think you'll find that a lower volume level that sounds great in your room and you'll keep your hearing a little longer.

Scott

Scott

My HT