 
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
|
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
In Reply to: Re: Amp wattage question posted by Hornlover on June 11, 2004 at 08:36:26:
All's well in what you say except that the human ear does not have its highest sensitivity at 1KHz. That frequency was chosen as a reference (0dB) by Bell Labs before they did their population testing many decades ago. The maximum sensitivity is in the range of 3000-3500Hz and is due to the resonant characteristics of the external auditory meatus (outer ear canal) which is the acoustical equivalent of a stopped tube. As a result, the auditory threshhold in that range is about -6 to -10dB referred to 1KHz.
Follow Ups:
Oh no, someone was actually paying attention! You are correct, depending on the loudness level being used. At 40db (re 0.0002ubar), the Fletcher-Munson curves have 1kHz at almost the same sensitivity as the 3-4kHz region (within 1 db). These were the curves I used for reference. However, other studies give different sensitivity curves. The curves derived by Churcher and King show the greatest sensitivity (at 40db) at 2.5kHz, being about 2db greater than at 1kHz. The curves derived by Robinson and Dadson (free field) show the greatest variation, showing the greatest sensitivity at about 4kHz, and being about 8db more sensitive (again, at a 40 db level). Overall, all of the curves show the same general trends, and these were the basis for the equal loudness contours.
Thanks for keeping me honest!
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
