Re: stereo wattage loudness question
Speaker volume can be determined by math. For instance, you purchase a speaker and it states that it has a SPL (Sound Pressure Level) of 96 DB at 1 watt/meter. That means at one watt of input power to the speaker you will hear sound at 96 DB (decibel) at 1 meter away. Next look for the total and RMS (Root Means Square) levels that speaker can handle before the voice coil will become damaged. In the above scenario let’s say that speaker can handle 100 watts RMS. So now you want to know how loud that speaker will sound. Again it is simply mathematics. For every 3 DB increase of SPL, it takes double the power. So if the speaker can output 96 DB at 1 watt. It will put out 99 DB at two watts, and 102 DB at 4 Watts, and 105 DB at 8 watts, 108 DB at 16 watts and so on. See the trend going on. So if you work out the math, this speaker can output a max of around 115-116 DB max at 100 watts input power... Trying to push further will damage the speaker beyond usability. The ohmage (resistance) of the voice coil is the load the amp will have to drive. If your amp can’t handle anything below 8 ohms, a 4 ohm speaker will damage the amp because the lower the resistance level the harder the amp has to work to produce power across such a low resistance. The closer you get to zero the closer it is to a short circuit condition. Some very high quality amps can drive near zero loads. But you will pay dearly for such capabilities too. The best sound will be a compromise of power and speaker design and handling capabilities. A speaker that can handle tons of power will not sound as good at lower levels simply because it take so much power to move the heavier cone and voice coil. Nothing is free even in the electronic world. So match those two (amp and speaker design) and you will enjoy quality sound at any level at its best for your money outlay...
