Multiple complaints have come up over time concerning the intro. I would turn down your speakers before you click on the game, then turn it back up once the intro is past.
Im with soccerdude, it's never been abnormally loud on my computer, but all game sounds tend to irritate me a bit so i usually just have my speakers off.
I've got that too, and I never need it above 10% for anything. Ever. The brand is indeed made for loudness and clarity, but even on the ol' Vista it seems loud by comparison to other stuff. It's mostly the 1st clang, just because at that time there's nothing but silence leading up to it, so it's sort of a surprise.
