Some manufacturers quote sensitivity as dB @ 1 m (1 watt input) instead of dB @ 1 m (2.83 V input). Tang Band's spec sheets do, for instance. For a 4 ohm (nominal) driver, it seems like this would correspond to a 2 V input (V^2/R).
How can I predict the nominal RMS output of a woofer if I know the sensitivity and continuous power rating? Would it not be
SPL = sensitivity + 10log(Prms/1) ???
This doesn't match up with WinISD's predictions.
How can I predict the nominal RMS output of a woofer if I know the sensitivity and continuous power rating? Would it not be
SPL = sensitivity + 10log(Prms/1) ???
This doesn't match up with WinISD's predictions.
1 or 2 dB can be explained by WinISD taking the dc resistance (Re) instead of the nominal impedance, when switching between voltage and nominal power.
Seems like it would be better to use the nominal (complex) impedance, inasmuch as the spec for DC resistance is lower (e.g., 3.4 ohm) and thus will pull more current. I don't even know if the inputs include DC resistance. I just generate the WinISD file from loudspeakerdatabase.
How doesn't it match? Can you give more specifics?
Maybe the difference, if you're looking at bass, is WinISD (which I'm not very familiar with) is looking at physical excursion limitations, which can be far less than rated power.
And you do realize sensitivity is not measured the same way by different manufacturers, nor is power handling? Which latter spec is not really useful due to different methodologies and because physical limits may not be taken into account, nor the input music spectrum. If you're just trying to compare different Tang Band drivers, that's probably OK, just don't take the output numbers too seriously. And don't compare across manufacturers, that can just be incorrect. Too bad there aren't more specific-methodology standards at least for sensitivity.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.