Let’s take Bob Katz’ K-System as an example
When you calibrate this, you are fixing an RMS level in your DAW to a real-world Sound Pressure Level at your listening position.
If you calibrate to K-12 for example, that means that -12 dBFS RMS in your DAW outputs at 86 dB SPL to your ears. This means that -12 dBFS RMS equals loud. The benefit here is that you still have 12 dB of headroom above that level to accommodate peaks and troughs.
This way you will never overcook your mixes/masters because it will just be too loud to your ears. This forces you into good practices including…
From my blog The Benefits Of Working To A Fixed Monitoring Level
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