Learning basic knowledge of audio technology, carefully organized
Time:March 25, 2025
Views:39
Audio technology may seem complex, but in fact, mastering a few key parameters can provide a basic understanding of an audio system. Let's explore these important audio parameters and how they affect sound quality.
The relationship between speaker power and impact
Power is an indicator that measures the maximum sound intensity a speaker can produce. Many people mistakenly believe that the higher the power, the better the sound quality, but this is not necessarily the case. Power mainly determines the impact of the speaker's sound, rather than the sound quality itself. According to international standards, there are two ways to label power: rated power (RMS) and peak maximum power output (PMPO). For ordinary users, paying attention to rated power is more practical.
The influence of frequency range and response on sound quality
Frequency range refers to the range between the lowest and highest effective playback frequencies that an audio system can reproduce. A wide frequency range means that the speakers can reproduce more sound details. For example, the frequency range that the human ear can hear is approximately 20Hz to 20kHz, so a good audio system should strive to cover this range.
Frequency response describes the ability of a loudspeaker to produce sound pressure at different frequencies. Ideally, the frequency response should be a straight line, indicating that the same sound pressure can be produced at all frequencies. However, in reality, the frequency response of most loudspeakers fluctuates.
Distortion measures the accuracy of sound reproduction
Distortion is an important indicator for measuring the accuracy of sound reproduction by speakers. It is divided into harmonic distortion, intermodulation distortion, and transient distortion. Simply put, the lower the distortion level, the closer the sound reproduced by the speaker is to the original signal. For ordinary multimedia speakers, the distortion level should be less than 0.5%; for subwoofers, a level of less than 5% is acceptable.
Sensitivity determines the volume level
Sensitivity refers to the ability of a loudspeaker to generate sound pressure at a given input power. Higher sensitivity means that a larger sound pressure can be produced at the same power. Generally, 87dB is considered medium sensitivity, below 84dB is low sensitivity, and above 90dB is high sensitivity. For small rooms, choosing a loudspeaker with medium sensitivity is sufficient.
Impedance matching affects sound quality performance
Impedance refers to the ratio of voltage to current of the input signal to a loudspeaker. Common speaker impedances include 4Ω, 8Ω, and 16Ω. Impedance matching is crucial for achieving optimal sound quality. If the output impedance of the amplifier does not match the input impedance of the speaker, it may lead to sound quality degradation or amplifier overload.
The signal-to-noise ratio determines the level of background noise
Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) refers to the ratio of the normal sound signal played back by a speaker to the noise signal when there is no signal. A higher SNR means less background noise and clearer sound. For high-quality audio systems, the SNR should be above 80dB.
Understanding these basic parameters can not only help you better choose audio equipment, but also give you a deeper understanding of the working principles of the audio system. Remember, there is no perfect audio system; only the one that suits you best. When shopping, besides paying attention to these parameters, actual listening is also very important. After all, the ultimate criterion for judgment is your own ears.
The relationship between speaker power and impact
Power is an indicator that measures the maximum sound intensity a speaker can produce. Many people mistakenly believe that the higher the power, the better the sound quality, but this is not necessarily the case. Power mainly determines the impact of the speaker's sound, rather than the sound quality itself. According to international standards, there are two ways to label power: rated power (RMS) and peak maximum power output (PMPO). For ordinary users, paying attention to rated power is more practical.
The influence of frequency range and response on sound quality
Frequency range refers to the range between the lowest and highest effective playback frequencies that an audio system can reproduce. A wide frequency range means that the speakers can reproduce more sound details. For example, the frequency range that the human ear can hear is approximately 20Hz to 20kHz, so a good audio system should strive to cover this range.
Frequency response describes the ability of a loudspeaker to produce sound pressure at different frequencies. Ideally, the frequency response should be a straight line, indicating that the same sound pressure can be produced at all frequencies. However, in reality, the frequency response of most loudspeakers fluctuates.
Distortion measures the accuracy of sound reproduction
Distortion is an important indicator for measuring the accuracy of sound reproduction by speakers. It is divided into harmonic distortion, intermodulation distortion, and transient distortion. Simply put, the lower the distortion level, the closer the sound reproduced by the speaker is to the original signal. For ordinary multimedia speakers, the distortion level should be less than 0.5%; for subwoofers, a level of less than 5% is acceptable.
Sensitivity determines the volume level
Sensitivity refers to the ability of a loudspeaker to generate sound pressure at a given input power. Higher sensitivity means that a larger sound pressure can be produced at the same power. Generally, 87dB is considered medium sensitivity, below 84dB is low sensitivity, and above 90dB is high sensitivity. For small rooms, choosing a loudspeaker with medium sensitivity is sufficient.
Impedance matching affects sound quality performance
Impedance refers to the ratio of voltage to current of the input signal to a loudspeaker. Common speaker impedances include 4Ω, 8Ω, and 16Ω. Impedance matching is crucial for achieving optimal sound quality. If the output impedance of the amplifier does not match the input impedance of the speaker, it may lead to sound quality degradation or amplifier overload.
The signal-to-noise ratio determines the level of background noise
Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) refers to the ratio of the normal sound signal played back by a speaker to the noise signal when there is no signal. A higher SNR means less background noise and clearer sound. For high-quality audio systems, the SNR should be above 80dB.
Understanding these basic parameters can not only help you better choose audio equipment, but also give you a deeper understanding of the working principles of the audio system. Remember, there is no perfect audio system; only the one that suits you best. When shopping, besides paying attention to these parameters, actual listening is also very important. After all, the ultimate criterion for judgment is your own ears.
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