Loudness perception is robust enough that precise weighting matters little in practice.

Evidence

It is clear that the perception of comparative loudness levels is a very durable phenomenon, showing considerable consistency, which is good because we need to do it. Listening tests have fewer variables than were explored in the above experiments. All the sounds will come from the front at the same distance, and if positional substitution is used, from the same location. The main remaining variable is likely to be loudspeaker directional patterns, and even then the effect is not likely to be great. Given the range of test signals employed in the experiments just described, it is not likely that using the ITU R-REC-BS.1770-5 (2023) metric would have changed the results one way or another. It has prestige, “brand recognition”, but in the end it is just another weighting curve. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 1184

Categorization

• DEEPTHINKING: Argues that a heavily-branded international metrology standard is, perceptually, just one weighting curve among many — a strong deflation of audiophile/industry prestige around loudness metrics.