How to get Loud: DB's and SPL Explained

In this video I show you the formulas used to convert power and pressure to dB's and SPL. Once you understand what loud is you can figure out how to get loud!

Affiliate* links to products used in the video

Connect with me on social media:

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:10 What is a dB (decibel)?
1:40 dB as Power
5:50 dB as Pressure

For additional information about the decibel (db) formulas check out audio judgement:

*As an amazon associate marketer I may earn a small commission on qualified purchases. As an affiliate marketer I may earn a small commission when you make a purchase at Parts Express, Sonic Electronix or Down4Sound.

[HifiVega]

People showing up for bass you and you keep sneaking math in on em! Great explainer video

[ambitioustoad]

Really like your vids. I'm an older guy (47yrs) getting back into car audio. Some of it is reliving my carefree 1990's, but I also have a better understanding of the electronics, and attention to details that I didn't fully grasp at 22yo. You do an amazing job explaining the science in layman's terms. As both an electronics hobbyist and DIYer, you are giving me great ideas for my truck install.

[TheSFFV]

DIY, HiFi and Big D Sunday morning drops! Keeping me busy this morning

[erbterb]

You had me at the Kicker t-shirt. My amp of choice in 1998

[brokenN]

Thank you! I can’t… how many times I have tried to explain this. I’m not a “people” person so I can’t get it across. You rock!

[johnnypiper]

Videos like this make me love car audio even more than I already do. It's awesome learning how to use math to calculate your system.

[bkrgls]

Your videos are always a refresher course for me and that's why I like them. The math like you said isn't that complicated. So, I'm gonna make a donation to your Patreon for giving my brain a wake-up slap...🤣! ✌🏾

[PShizzzle]

I always feel as if I’m back in college when I watch your videos bro! Good stuff! 🔥

[E-raticWarrior]

So much knowledge in a less than 10 min video, thank you sir.

[Vegas_Baba]

Righteous! Appreciate our 12V Audio peeps continually dropping knowledge. Keep 'em coming!

Love your vids Justin. You (and a few other of the heavies) break it down and explain concepts in a manner that makes it easy to understand.

[NathanOakley]

Can you cover SQ 😉

Love the videos.

[rayproductionsbackupchanne]

I would love to see a video on the differences of SPL subwoofers and normal subwoofer. I've got a SPL 1000 watt ground zero sub. And honestly with a decent box it still has SQ. But i couldn't find any information online whether or not a SPL subwoofer can only do SPL or also SQ

[knockout_wj]

It's good to know there is someone smarter than me out there. And when I say that, much smarter lol. Thanks.

[jakeslidez]

I have a very interesting question for you. There are car audio systems that play 155 db with not too much flexing to the car,
yet there are audio systems that only play about 130 db but are very “ windy “ In the sense that they move much more air from the port and end up flexing the vehicle more. Why is that?

[travisgulley]

Does wiring a amplifier at the lowest impedance it’s stable at in bridged mode allow the amplifier to do it’s maximum spl and allow you to get all the rms power out of the amplifier.

[MullinPerformance]

Awesome content...my brain synapses are on fire right now.

[niklasxl]

well N /M^2 is the definition of pascal, the SI (derived) unit of pressure :D and when you remember that 1 newton is about the force that a 100 gram weight applies in the gravity of earth it is easy to think of it as the same amount of pressure a object that weighs 100 grams and has a surface are of 1 x 1 meters puts on the ground, so not a lot :D great video of explaining the things though :D

[johnmalcolm]

So when a pub tells me I have to be under 90dB, what is that relative to ?

[Wannakatana]

Do you discuss anything in relation to sound quality or only spl?

[Twinz]

I have a pre loaded 12" ported sub encloser w/ 1k watt amp combo. If I added another identical setup, (for a total of 2k watt worth of amp but the subs are wired to 4ohm) would I need to up grade the size of my wire run? Rn I believe it's a 10ga power/neg wire. Is this adequate?
Stock alt.. and haven't done a big 3... rn running the single 12" I have zero dimming on lights even at full power.

I was Goin to get a 10ga power splitter/distro block and run power to each amp and also do the negatives. Split the rem...

Will I now need to run 2 bass knobs? Can I run 1 knob on 2 amps?

Is this a dumb idea? Should I just upgrade to a new box, subs, amp, wiring kit?

I can get the 2nd sub/amp combo for under 250$
A new box, subs, amp, upgrade will be like 2grand lol.

Any help for this noob would be appreciated