Have you ever tried to set up your sound system around how a CD sounds? Setting the system overall EQ this way is fine. But, if you put in a CD (or iPod if you’re under 30), then turn up the faders til the meters hit zero; now turn up the amp so that the music fills up the room until it’s just a little too loud (you’ll want to have a little bit of headroom), then wait for the band to start playing… the band seems so much quieter! Why?