RACK/LEVEL & SPL
S1WS_{1W}

Sensitivity converter

Compare speaker specifications on equal terms.

Inputs

YOUR SYSTEM
dB
75120
Ω
132

Result

METER
Sensitivity at 1 W / 1 m
99.0dB SPL
Normalized to one watt at one meter
Test input power
1.00W
Reference correction
0.00dB
818895102109dBAT 2.83 V / 1 m99.0AT 1 W / 1 m99.0SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL / dB
Equal-power sensitivity comparison: 2.83 V to 1 W reference

How it works

Not all sensitivity ratings use the same reference.

2.83 V delivers about 1 watt into 8 ohms, but about 2 watts into 4 ohms. Converting to a common 1-watt reference makes the numbers more comparable.

The formula

S1W=S2.83V−10log⁡10(2.832Z)S_{1\text{W}} = S_{2.83\text{V}} - 10 \log_{10}\left(\frac{2.83^2}{Z}\right)
  • S2.83VS_{2.83\text{V}} — voltage-referenced sensitivity
  • ZZ — nominal impedance in Ω\Omega

Worth knowing

For a nominal 4-ohm speaker, subtract about 3 dB from the 2.83 V sensitivity to estimate its 1 W sensitivity. For 8 ohms the two ratings are nearly identical.

Assumptions

Nominal impedance is an approximation. Measurement bandwidth, room conditions and manufacturer procedures also affect sensitivity figures.

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