Speaker sensitivity conversion

[showdown]

I have an old pair of Mordaunt-Short speakers where the sensitivity is measured like this:

Sensitivity: 6.5V r.m.s (5.3 watts) to produce 96dB at 1 metre

How would this be converted into something more understandable like dB at 1W/2.83V?

 

[Galu]

6.5V into an 8 ohm speaker results in 5.3W.

2.83V into an 8 ohm speaker results in 1W.

Since the voltage is somewhat over 2 times higher in the first case, the sensitivity will be a somewhat over 6dB higher.

So I reckon a good approximation of your MS speaker's sensitivity is 89dB/W/m.

Anybody got a better handle on this?

 

[AllenB]

Sounds good.

 

[showdown]

Thanks! I was guessing it was a little lower than 90dB, but I didnt’t know how to calculate it

 

[JMFahey]

That´s an old style spec which was actually quite useful and straightforward for the end user.

They assumed you would want to play music LOUD at 96dB SPL (1 meter away for reference, you know your actual listener distance) and they told you what size amplifier, in Watts (easy to understand for a user) would you need.

In my book, state of the art sensitivity definition in a very practical way

 

[phase_accurate]

That subject was already discussed ages ago:

"Betriebsleistung"/"operating power":what does it mean?

regards

Charles

 

[GM]

Love this site, if the math's not here I doubt I need to know/convert it:

Sound engineering pro audio terms audio and sound engineer's terms - search engine for sengpielaudio.com audio words calculations glossary technique special field music sound recording - Eberhard Sengpiel - Sengpielaudio is Sengspielaudio and Sengpie

Efficiency and sensitivity conversion - loudspeaker percent and dB per watt and meter loudspeaker efficiency versus sensitivity vs speaker sensitivity 1 watt = 2,83 volt box chart - sengpielaudio Sengpiel Berlin

GM