Thank you very much for the insight. I had a fuzzy, vague knowledge of what you're talking about and have set it up likewise but that's good to hear affirming words from someone who knows what's going on.
As for volume, it's a two-fold goal. One is, we're doing 40-odd dates across the US this summer in dingy halls, clubs, houses, bars, etc. In my past touring experiences, the folks we run into don't exactly have the best PA equipment handy. So we'll have our own PA in tow, but that's mainly for vocals and drum micing. I know it's very silly to want to be super loud, but the second reason is I like the feeling of being physically moved by music. We don't push it to where you can't distinguish music from noise but we want a feeling to come across that isn't easily achieved with a smaller set up. Again, I understand if that sounds ridiculous and I'm not trying to come off as 'deep' or anything; obviously the music itself is quite rudimentary. But anyways, that's that mattress man.