Relationship between speaker wattage and volume（part 2）
author: Holly
2022-12-02
Relationship between speaker wattage and volume（part 2）
Although the power of these two speakers is almost the same (20W and 18W), the left speaker is more loud due to the installation of efficient speakers.
Therefore, we assume that there is a loudspeaker with a sensitivity of 90dB @ 1W/1m and a power up to 100W. If we adjust the power of the loudspeaker to 1W, it will generate 90dB when the distance is 1m. If we adjust the power to 2W, the measured value of SPL will become 93dB. If we increase the power of the loudspeaker to 10W, the measured value of SPL will increase to 100dB. At this time, Compared with the previous one watt power, the loudness will be doubled. Therefore, they actually need more than 10 times the power to make us feel the loudness doubled Since the maximum power of the speaker we imagine is 100 watts, we can double the volume again. Theoretically, only the power higher than 100 watts will produce 110dB SPL.1 watts=90dB. 100 watts or the power higher than 100 watts=110dB. This is a huge power increase, but you can only feel a four fold increase in the volume level.
Therefore, we assume that there is a loudspeaker with a sensitivity of 90dB @ 1W/1m and a power up to 100W. If we adjust the power of the loudspeaker to 1W, it will generate 90dB when the distance is 1m. If we adjust the power to 2W, the measured value of SPL will become 93dB. If we increase the power of the loudspeaker to 10W, the measured value of SPL will increase to 100dB. At this time, Compared with the previous one watt power, the loudness will be doubled. Therefore, they actually need more than 10 times the power to make us feel the loudness doubled Since the maximum power of the speaker we imagine is 100 watts, we can double the volume again. Theoretically, only the power higher than 100 watts will produce 110dB SPL.1 watts=90dB. 100 watts or the power higher than 100 watts=110dB. This is a huge power increase, but you can only feel a four fold increase in the volume level.
As you can see, if you want to achieve the "double" volume effect, you need to increase a certain amount of power and the wattage of the speaker. Now let's introduce the sensitivity/efficiency of the speaker into this formula If we replace the 90dB @ 1W/1m speaker with 100dB @ 1W/1m speaker, the digital change is very obvious We know that the input power of 1 watt will provide us with 100dB SPL Remember, the first speaker required 10 watts of power to achieve the same volume! Therefore, installing efficient speakers will allow us to get a higher volume. Similarly, it is also applicable to the maximum power processing capacity of all speakers Assuming 100dB @ 1W/1m speaker can handle up to 100W, it can provide up to 120dB SPL; The maximum level of the doubled volume of 90dB @ 1W/1m 100W speakers is only 110dB SPL.
Speaker power+speaker efficiency and power handling capacity=maximum volume
So please remember that increasing the power of the speaker will make it more loud, and increasing the sensitivity of the speaker will make the speaker have higher power within the available power range. Therefore, this also means that the "loudness" of any speaker cannot be judged only by the wattage You must know the power handling capacity and sensitivity of speakers, which are important factors to enhance the loudness of speakers If your 15 watt speaker is equipped with a relatively low efficiency speaker, but its loudness is enough to meet your requirements, you don't need to buy a high watt speaker specifically - you just need to replace an efficient speaker, such as the Electro Voice EVM 12L (Figure 2), which can meet your demand for volume and doesn't need to replace the entire speaker Similarly, you may not need a 100 watt speaker; If you replace the 95dB @ 1W/1m speakers in a 50 watt speaker box with 101dB @ 1W/1m speakers, their volume levels will change significantly. You need to accept... In fact, when using inefficient speakers, 100 watt speakers are not even as loud as 50 watt speakers.
