Match equal loudness graph when designing a sub?

Anyways, spl Apps on smartphones, as current spl measurement devices, are usualy weighted according A curve / Therefore , relative measurement are ok, but that's all.
Most smartphone apps give choices of weighting:
Screen Shot 2025-01-08 at 1.06.35 PM.png

That said, a sound meter reads whatever SPL is highest, making relative measurements relatively useless.

Consider real time analyzer (RTA) measurements of a sub using a single sine wave as the signal, the fundamental frequency of 20Hz (1st harmonic) reads ~91dB SPL, while the third harmonic of 60Hz (distortion) reads 112dB, well over 100% distortion.
Using a "Z" weighted sound meter would read slightly above 112dB, more than 21 dB above the fundamental frequency, giving a false impression of the subs capability.
Screen Shot 2025-01-08 at 1.36.54 PM.png

Screen Shot 2025-01-08 at 1.45.06 PM.png

With the test frequency set to 35Hz, the level reaches 108dB, ~17dB louder than the previous test at 20Hz, but would read lower on the sound meter, since none of the harmonic distortion components reach the level of the first harmonic.
The 175Hz 5th harmonic is -21 dB below the 1st, total harmonic distortion being ~9%.

Anyways, a "relative measurement" using a sound meter alone won't tell you much about a subwoofer's performance, or how it relates to actual frequency response.

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With the test frequency set to 35Hz, the level reaches 108dB, ~17dB louder than the previous test at 20Hz, [...]

Most cell phone mics drop off quickly below 40Hz and raise distortion vastly because they can't do the excursion. The drop off alone is enough to disqualify it for sub 'measurements', even if you measure at greater distances.