Volume Qs

[kurosawa]

Got a pile of Qs...

1. Now sure, it takes 10x the power to double the volume, and 2x the power to jack things up 3dB, but let's say we want to keep a certain volume in a room twice the size we're used to, since we are speaking of moving air, and there's twice the air, might that not require only a 3dB hike?

2. What's the practical upper limit for stage volume, and what common amp/cab combinations are capable of getting there?

3. Isn't it kinda bogus for efficiency to be mentioned at higher freqs than the lowest note a certain player's gonna play? We're gonna perceive those higher freqs as louder, anyway, right?

4. If we're not loud enough, wouldn't it be useful to boost around the least-annoying freq in the 300-3400 Hz (standard telephone) range? And what might that be?

 

[billfitzmaurice]

Got a pile of Qs...

1. Now sure, it takes 10x the power to double the volume, and 2x the power to jack things up 3dB, but let's say we want to keep a certain volume in a room twice the size we're used to, since we are speaking of moving air, and there's twice the air, might that not require only a 3dB hike?

It might not require any hike. Volume drops at a rate of 6dB for each doubling of distance from the source, but that only holds true outdoors. Indoors room boundary reflections are just as important as the source dB level. Cancellation modes in small rooms can make them less loud with the same power as larger rooms.

4. If we're not loud enough, wouldn't it be useful to boost around the least-annoying freq in the 300-3400 Hz (standard telephone) range?

You've got that backwards. The frequencies most easily heard are also those the most irritating when too loud. When's the last time you found the sound of a baby crying to be soothing?

 

[kurosawa]

OK. Another Q. I find myself committing to 100w tube amps. I'd figured 100, 200, 300, not much difference. Did I figure wrongly?

 

[B-string]

There is a difference in "clean" headroom but adding speakers will get you heard better than adding another 100 watts to your 100.

 

[RickenBoogie]

With a tube amp, clean headroom is what it's all about.

 

[kurosawa]

OK. Let me search on that.