Speaker sensitivity is a measure of how loud a speaker can get in response to a given amount of power. It’s a frequently cited spec on speaker data sheets, and it’s an important consideration when selecting speakers. But what is sensitivity, how does it affect your listening experience, and why is it important?

What is speaker sensitivity?

Speaker sensitivity is the measure of a speaker’s output in decibels (dB) with a set amount of power, usually one watt, measured at a distance of one meter (3.28 feet). You’ll often see speaker sensitivity expressed as a number in dB, such as 88 dB, 92 dB, or 96 dB.

How speaker sensitivity affects your listening experience

The sensitivity of your speakers plays a significant role in how loud they can get before they begin to distort. In other words, the higher the speaker sensitivity, the louder the volume. A 3 dB increase in sensitivity equals a doubling of the loudness. That means that speakers with a higher sensitivity require less power to achieve a certain volume level than speakers with lower sensitivity.

Why is speaker sensitivity important?

Speaker sensitivity is an essential consideration when choosing a speaker for your home theater, stereo system, or even a portable speaker. A speaker that has higher sensitivity requires less power, meaning that it can produce a better listening experience at lower volumes. That’s why you need to pay close attention to speaker sensitivity when selecting speakers for your home theater, car system, or outdoor speakers.

In addition, higher sensitivity is more suited to low-powered amplifiers or receivers. That is because a low-powered amp or receiver may not provide enough power to drive low-sensitivity speakers to sufficient volume levels, while high-sensitivity loudspeakers can deliver high volumes with minimal amplifier power.

Conclusion

In summary, speaker sensitivity is a crucial spec of your speaker system that you should pay attention to when weighing your choices of speakers for your audio system. Speakers with high sensitivity are suitable for low-powered amps, while speakers with lower sensitivity require more power to reach similar high SPL levels. Ensure that you carefully consider the sensitivity of the speakers when choosing your audio system.