In my 4 weeks of driving (3 tanks of gas), I've notice a somewhat disconcerting trend. Nominally, for FM & CD, I set the volume at 20 for freeway drive (the ambient noise from the road demands). For AM radio, that might go to 25. However, when driving the non-freeway, the volume would feel way too loud, and I have to crank down to 15. Does everyone does this?
Your ears must be much better than mine, which I'm pretty sure of that because of what I know about my ears right now, but I run my stereo at about 25 in town and 30 on the highway. Due to differences in recording line levels for CDs volume can vary greatly between 2 different CDs. The same can be said about radio, the strength of signal, along with the gain levels the broadcaster is using will cause there to be a significant difference in volume levels you will want to use between stations and even bands.
Depending on what tunes are flowing out of the iPod I usually run between 45 and 55 - that way I don't have to worry about road noise
I find the Prius quite noisy on the freeway due to tire noise, so yes, I do play the stereo louder on the freeway. I can cut down the tire noise noticeably by running at mfg. recommended tire pressures, but I have to compete with the other Prius drivers at work for mileage bragging rights, so I run a few pounds higher for the extra one mpg or two mpg.
