Is Sensitivity Good?....more

[LDV]

What does sensitivity mean with respect to speaker cabinet specs? Is higher sensitivity (102 dB @ 1W 1M) better than lower sensitivity (99 db SPL @1W 1M)...but more importantly, does this really matter...is the difference audible?

 

Thanks

[Prague]

It simply means that both of your examples have the same power applied. One can produce 102dB and the other 99dB. So, the 102dB's use power more efficiently.

 

I usually make note of the figure, but I still only use the speakers that sound good.

[cwild]

102 dB @ 1W 1M means that with an applied power of 1Watt, the loudness (SPL) will be 102dB at a distance of 1 meter from the speaker. Therefore , a speaker with a sensitivity of 102 dB @ 1W 1M is more efficient than a speaker of 99 dB @ 1W 1M and will sound louder using the same amp. I'm not sure if the difference in volume is extremely noticible though.

[_Sweet Willie_]

Also, it's important to realize that not everyone reports their sensitivity statistics the same way for speaker cabs. Very often the SPL numbers come from measurement done at a specific frequency (for example, 1 kHz). However, it's more informative to know how the SPL numbers compare across the frequency spectrum. Here is an example from Eminence, that includes their take on efficiency and sensitivity: Eminence sensitivity resource page .

 

Try doing a "search" on this forum for "decibel" or "db" or "speaker efficiency" or "loudness." Some of these might turn up some past threads where related issues have been discussed.

 

But, like, paostby posted, specs only get you so far, and at that point your ears take over. Acme cabs sound great, but they require much juice because they're not very efficient. However, because they sound so great, folks are okay with lower SPL ratings if they've got the wattage to make up for it.

 

Peace.