the combination of forces and mechanics and stuff that are going on with a drum pedal is massive. Like chasing guitar tone, it's the never ending quest of finding the pedal setting that feels good for both slow and fast music. What feels powerful and rewarding (acoustically) is a real bitch when it comes to playing fast stuff.
You've probably already realized a lot of this... but listing out pairs of variables could be fun, or fuck with your mind haha. It's wild how certain aspects turn on drummers, while other drummers need different aspects. For example, a more playable pedal might yield less power. Some drummers like that feel and are good at staying relaxed despite less volume. For me, if I hear less power, I tend to over exert myself to compensate. But a hard pedal that yields a loud ass thump really turns me on into 'go mode' and I start hammering in a relaxed way that the tough pedal just works for me.
anyway, on to the combination of adjustments, because you can't just see them individually - a lot of this is cause and effect kind of stuff.
Big beater angle = equals super stretched spring by the time of beater contact. Yet somewhat negated by heavier beaters (momentum has this big inertia that combats the tight spring)
Light beaters change direction fast, allowing for loser springs. Also allows for looser drumheads since you dont need that head tension to resist and throw back a heavy beater. But the lack of acoustic power may not turn you on sonically.
Tight springs (or big beater angle) makes you have to play with your foot higher on the footboard for leverage. You gain control but loose power.
Foot position - back on the board for more power per degree of angle extension.... but you loose control as well as leverage needed to combat a tight spring, heavy beater, etc.
Pedal design - board length, *** vs direct drive, etc etc.
Beater length - longer beater = more rotational velocity = more momentum into a head. You can play louder with lighter beaters by lengthening the beater. They end up being not light anymore. Conversely, heavy beaters can be made to feel lighter by decreasing their length. If the tone and feel generated by hitting center of drum or above center of drum matter to you, then these variables can help you.
If i'm playing a loose head, it's harder to hear, so I'll favor a heavy beater and a decent beater angle to get the momentum needed to make the drum explode. And to get that heavy beater to return to position fast, I'll need a tighter spring. Accomplished by either a larger beater angle, tight spring setting, or both. If I'm in horrible shape, this can be tough for thrash and death metal. I might spend a couple of weeks at a tighter head. Or, if I'm in a situation where I can keep the drum pitch down and still hear myself either because of drum monitors, or amps not aimed at me, etc, I might go for lighter beaters, which would allow for looser springs. Less spring tension needed to return the beater to position. Less head tension needed to absorb, stop, and then throw back the beater. Again, you'll get less volume - but even without drum monitors, the ease of playing might appeal to your style... allowing you to relax and actually comfortably play harder.
I'm rambling and losing my train of thought, but i'll close with this - because I've always liked volume, I've always tried to see how heavy of a pedal I could get a way with, and dial back the power in the settings until a point where I can manage it. I set it up for power - big beater angle to get me the tight spring needed to return my beater quickly, and loosen the spring up until i hit a setting that I'm strong enough to handle. I do think I need to spend some months working with the opposite approach. Seeing how much power I can get out of my technique from a pedal/head set-up that is geared towards speed.