#1709056 - 02/27/07 04:39 PM
Amplifier dB Levels
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Knurled 1959
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Registered: 01/11/06
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I wish I had a dollar for everytime a reviewer commented that an amp was "surprisingly loud for only ___ watts". In my quest to get power tube distortion at reasonable volume levels for home recording, I have learned three things: 1) dB levels increase in a logarithmic fashion, not linear (ie, a 50W amp is not twice as loud as a 25W amp) 2) perceived volume is relative to room size & 3) almost every amp (including the 5 watters) are too loud to be cranked at home without disturbing someone. It would be helpful if GP could address this issue in an article. Also, when reviewing amps, dB levels could be measured at half & full volumes in a fixed size room. Then, results could be converted to a linear rating system that is easily understood. Thanks.
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#1720811 - 03/21/07 02:09 PM
Re: Amplifier dB Levels
[Re: Knurled 1959]
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GeoffB
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Registered: 11/05/04
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Loc: UK East Midlands via Scotland
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+1.
Geoff
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#1721183 - 03/22/07 02:25 AM
Re: Amplifier dB Levels
[Re: GeoffB]
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bennyguitfiddle
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Registered: 02/09/07
Posts: 358
Loc: Husker Nation
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+2 I have a 20 watt mesa/boogie studio caliber dc-2 and it is loud. my buddy uses 100watt bassman. I don't have to compete for space or nothing.
Edited by bennyguitfiddle (03/22/07 02:28 AM)
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#1744991 - 05/02/07 11:57 AM
Re: Amplifier dB Levels
[Re: bennyguitfiddle]
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fantasticsound
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Registered: 04/07/01
Posts: 16644
Loc: Madison,TN, UNITED STATES
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This is far from simple to gauge, unfortunately. In addition to the logarithmic nature of power vs. perception, speaker sensitivity plays a huge role in actual efficiency, creating a rather large perceptual difference between various speakers of varying sensitivity. Only a few dB of sensitivity translates to a large difference in efficiency.
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#1745028 - 05/02/07 12:53 PM
Re: Amplifier dB Levels
[Re: fantasticsound]
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Michael Patrick
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Registered: 04/18/07
Posts: 1075
Loc: Madison, WI
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fantasticsound beat me to the speaker sensitivity and efficiency part of the equation.
The speaker also affects the perceived volume by accentuating or attenuating certain frequencies. I know a lot of people say the Vintage 30 cuts through on stage, specifically because of the high-mid spike in its response.
On the other hand, the level of my wife's complaining is tightly correlated to the prominence of the bass response of whatever speakers I'm using, because it is those frequencies that travel through the floor joists...
Edited by Michael Patrick (05/02/07 12:54 PM)
Edit Reason: spelling errrror
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#1745364 - 05/03/07 03:32 AM
Re: Amplifier dB Levels
[Re: Michael Patrick]
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Editor Boy
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Registered: 05/14/01
Posts: 260
Loc: San Mateo,CA,UNITED STATES
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Perhaps we are going too "layman" in describing watts vs. perceived volume, but I do know that it would also be difficult to measure dBs in our studio and translate that data into something useable for readers cranking their amps in various and diverse rooms that might not be close to our room.
And as fantasticsound and Michael Patrick said, the dB test wouldn't capture frequency output unless we ran tones through the amp and measured a series of frequencies. This is a lot of work for what I suspect is not much interest from the reader community, but I'm willing to consider the effort if enough readers want it. At the moment, most reader commentary seems fine with an editor's assessment that an amp with X watts can work well in a band situation.
Let me know...
All the Best,
Mike
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#1745751 - 05/03/07 05:11 PM
Re: Amplifier dB Levels
[Re: Editor Boy]
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Gruupi
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Registered: 06/09/03
Posts: 1904
Loc: Dallas
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I am happy with the testers comments on perceived loudness where they feel it is appropriate to make note of it. If they feel a particular amp is louder or quiter than the wattage suggests, then that is enough for me to know. When I check the amp out for myself its something I may look for. Its hard to measure loudness, to many intangible factors affect the perception. I really don't want to see a bunch of numbers describing what an amp sounds like anyway.
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