LOUD is defo better, as long as it's not a moped with a shagged exhaust being used to deliver pizza.
My YPVS 350 has Lomas F2 pipes on- menacing crackle in town, makes the milk go sour when it's up in the power band.
My XT500 has a supertrapp on- again, can just about keep it quiet round town, but when it's opened up the sledgehammer blow of combustion every lamppost is a joy to hear.