Loudness Control
Loudness Control indicates whether a product offers tonal compensation for quiet listening. It is a yes/no feature, not a power rating.
At low levels, our ears are less sensitive to bass and treble—the high notes. Loudness compensation emphasizes these relative to middle frequencies. Turning up the volume raises the overall level; compensation changes the balance between frequencies.
Loudness Control — Preamp
In a preamp, this can make quiet playback sound fuller. Ordinary bass and treble controls alone do not establish a dedicated loudness feature. Some loudness controls offer fixed settings; others let you adjust the amount or change compensation automatically with volume.
Check the manual for adjustment options, whether compensation follows volume, and whether direct mode disables it. Lower the volume before bypassing loudness: some designs can suddenly increase the level when their compensation is removed.