Thanks Casey!
Your response was exactly what I was probing ...
I actually first mixed the vocal -14db (digital) ... but on my headphones reference, it sounded like a whisper in the wind ... I couldn't hear it clear through the music bed.
On speakers, I thought it sounded square in the pocket.
... which is why listening on multiple sources is what HAS to be done, INCLUDING headphones as one of those said sources. There's stuff on phones I don't get from any other reference.
Ultimately, I brought the level up to -10db (digital) ... which sounded fully clear on phones, and strong out front through the monitors (I use 3 others), but I wondered if it might be too much.
I would LOVE others to check in on this particular point, as the more the opinions the merrier. (Thanks in advance!)
I believe though, Casey, that you're right. The perfect level probably falls somewhere in between.
Thanks bud!
Kev-