DCM Time Window 7 - AMP & PREAMP

Ok, 3dB is double the Sound Intensity. It is still correct that it takes about a 3dB change in Intensity then, to perceive a change in sound level. 6-10dB which is double the loudness is a very big change. Think about normal conversation- it is 40-60 dB. Long term exposure to 85dB SPL will cause hearing damage. 100dB is standing next to a jack hammer. If someone must shout in order to be heard over your music, then it is very loud and likely approaching 75-80dB at the position where they are standing. Also consider that the sound Intensity then, drops 3dB every time the distance away from the speakers is doubled. So if sensitivity, for example, measures 92dB at one meter, then it drops to 89dB at 2 meters. And lastly, if each speaker is generating 92dB, I think the combined SPL is 95dB.

Okey all this is very good stuff...learning more than I had bargained for. So mg next question is : what is this DB rating that speakers come With. What am I being told that a speaker with 92 DB is better than a speaker with 87db?

What am I being told that a speaker with 92 DB is better than a speaker with 87db?

Not necessarily better, jut easier to drive to a volume level.

For example, a 87 db (at 1 watt, 1 meter) speaker can reach the volume you want with a 200 watt amp.

If you have a 90 db ( at 1 watt, 1 meter) speaker, it should reach that same volume level you want, needing only 100 (half) watts.

If you have a 93 db ( at 1 watt, 1 meter) speaker, it should
only need 50 watts to reach that same volume level again.

So, if these speakers were 100% identical in every way, including sound, looks, size, etc, I guess you could say the one with the higher rating can be better, since it needs less power, if everything else is equal. The all else being equal, usually doesn't happen. This just helps you find a speaker that can play louder for a given amount of power.

This Wikipedia link may help more. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loudspeaker#Efficiency_vs._sensitivity]

Try the link again here.

I don't know the 7's but my brother got one of the earlier models which sounded very good with a Hafler amp. ...just guessing, I suspect that your speakers are better than the electronics you're driving them with. I was never fond of Carver's amps....