I'm not sure that weight is the right measurement - in terms of volume, the loudest bowl I've had was a rather solidly built Il Globo - that said it was also a little harsh (but might have settled down in time, I never got the chance to find out ). Obviously if you go too far in either extreme then the sound will suffer (quiet if it's too well built, thin sounding if it's... well thin), but in between there's seems to be quite a bit of wriggle room. For example there's a school of thought in guitar building that wants heavy, really strong and stiff rims, but with lightweight flexible top and backs hung off the stiff rim - the result can be very loud and long sustaining instruments. If you were to do the same thing in mandolin construction, the result would seem rather heavy given that most of the weight in mandolins comes from the neck, sides and tail blocks anyway (the very things you're beefing up).
Which is a roundabout way of saying that it's the bracing, thickness and shape of the top (along with bridge geometry) that determines 90% + of the volume and tone.
Just my 2c..... John.
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