Methods for performing dynamic range compression (DRC) on audio in a manner intended to produce output audio for playback by systems or devices with limited power handling capabilities and preferably also to reduce or prevent undesirable artifacts (e.g., pumping and/or breathing) in the output audio. Some embodiments perform the DRC so as to maximize average loudness (while preventing loss of quieter elements) during playback, and also to reduce or prevent distortion. Other aspects are systems or devices configured to perform embodiments of the method. In some embodiments, reduced DRC is applied when average loudness of the input audio approaches (or matches or exceeds) a target (e.g., a knee point for DRC, or a signal level near to a maximum playback level of the intended playback system), since such input audio is assumed to have already been compressed, and otherwise applying full DRC to the input audio.