There is an interesting article in the June issue of Computer Music magazine about the perception of loudness in music as being a better performance to the human ear. It briefly discusses the tiny organ called the sacculus that has been linked to the response centers for pleasure in the brain. The included DVD with the magazine included a pdf of the article “The Seductive (Yet Destructive) Appeal of Loud Music” by Barry Blesser, Ph.D. This must explain why bass trombonists think they sound better than they really do ;)