There are a few ways to know which speaker is louder:
- Check the speaker’s specifications. Most speakers will have a specification for their sensitivity, which is measured in decibels per watt (dB/W). The higher the sensitivity, the louder the speaker will be for a given input power.
- Use a sound level meter. A sound level meter is a device that measures the sound pressure level (SPL) in decibels (dB). To use a sound level meter to determine which speaker is louder, place the meter at a distance of one meter from each speaker and play the same test signal through both speakers at the same power level. The speaker with the higher SPL reading is the louder speaker.
- Compare the speakers to each other. If you have two speakers of different loudness, you can compare them by playing the same test signal through both speakers at the same power level. The louder speaker will produce a higher SPL.
It is important to note that the loudness of a speaker is also affected by the distance between the speaker and the listener and the acoustics of the room. For example, a speaker will sound louder in a small, enclosed room than in a large, open room.
Here are some additional tips for determining which speaker is louder:
- Use a test signal that has a wide range of frequencies, such as pink noise or white noise. This will ensure that the sound level meter is accurately measuring the sound pressure level of all frequencies.
- Play the test signal at a moderate volume level. Avoid playing the test signal at a high volume level, as this could damage the speaker or the sound level meter.
- Take multiple measurements at different locations in the room. This will give you a more accurate idea of the average loudness of the speaker.
Once you have determined which speaker is louder, you can use this information to choose the right speaker for your needs and budget.
