I am talking about dB measured at the listening position using the same method to measure with both sets of speakers.
I believe @djones51 is correct in his smiley face theory.
Are all dBs created equal?
I recently purchased new speakers and I have run into something interesting. With my old speakers I listened at 80 dB average and it was comfortable. At 80 dB average with the new speakers it seems much louder and I have to turn it down to 70-72 dB to get to my comfort zone. Why would 80 dBs sound so much louder with the new speakers? FYI, the new speakers are presenting more detail and refinement. The sound stage is better in every way. What gives?
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@baclagg - I've not heard a Focal speaker that I didn't like, but the tweeters are a bit polarizing when it comes to personal preference. What amplifier are you using? |
@mceljo I am using a Hegel H390. I did have sibilance issues with the Focals. I had a few songs that were annoying and now when I play those songs it’s not there. I am happy about that! |
A watt is the amount of energy used. Look at it this way. 24/7 your power company feeds you 240V at your main panel. That’s a matter of "pressure." You are not billed per volt though, since with no current (all breakers off) there’s no power used. You get billed when power (watts) are consumed, by turning on a light switch, oven or amplifier. :) The 1w/1m (1 watt at 1 meter) measurement tries to measure how much power is consumed, how much you would be billed for to generate a certain dB. The 2.83V/1m (2.83 volts input, measured at 1 meter) is how the speaker responds to the voltage pressure. If the speaker is 4 Ohms, this is 2 watts. If the speaker is 8 Ohms, 1 watt, and half a watt at 16 Ohms. Since most speakers impedance can vary a great deal, and many of us use beefy amps the 2.83V/1m rating makes more sense. It tell us how loud it will be when you turn the volume a certain amount. For tube users, knowing how loud per watt could be more important. |
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