Is the dynamic range of nineteenth-century orchestras was far greater than previous century true?

The dynamic range of most orchestras did not exceed that of the standard eighteenth century orchestra, indeed was probably quite a bit less (though one notable exception is the Mannheim orchestra of the time). Even the "loud" effects would have been tempered down by the halls of the time. Even the softest effects might not be what many assume, as the use of vibrato at that time was minimal.