The Term SPL
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=61594
Printed Date: April 29, 2024 at 7:11 PM
Topic: The Term SPL
Posted By: jeffchilcott
Subject: The Term SPL
Date Posted: August 18, 2005 at 6:34 PM
I have recently seen alot of people using the Term SPL or DB lately. I believe these words have been taken out of where thier normal usage is.
Although SPL (sound pressure level)is the measurment of Pressure in a given area, and DB (decibel) is the measurement of pressure, This is normally used in high high output situations.
I dont know if it is just me that this has bothered. I know people are trying to get louder, but by saying they want More SPL's, or More DB's...it is way out of context
A SPL System, is typically not used on a daily basis..we use ours about every 2 weeks, and it is not intended for any kind of musical reproduction. It is used for a pure Burst tone at 55hz, far from Music.
There are ways to Up your DB's easily, but do you want to listen to your system daily? I know there are only a handful of members in this fourm who actualy compete.
I have started telling people to sit in our shop car when they ask for an SPL system. They they understand they do not! If you want loud say loud! On average Street systems normally measure between 130-low 140db. I base this off of the term lab mic, and with many many shows attended.
Or best with a 100% streetable system was a 143.6 for a daily driver. Far from the 149.9 we currently are working with, but at the downside the system goes in and out after each show.
I just wanted to see if any Shop onwers or workers have noticed the same trend going on. It iratates me to no end, I had to say something. Sorry for the rant..haha
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2009 0-1000 Trunk WR 154.0DB 2009 1001+ Trunk WR
2007 USACI World Champion
2007 World Record
2006 USACI Finals 2nd Place
Replies:
Posted By: OhioMike1101
Date Posted: August 18, 2005 at 7:03 PM
stupid rant. Who cares? Your post irritates me because ppl who get irritated over meaningless stuff seem very silly.
Posted By: ragoal12
Date Posted: August 18, 2005 at 7:07 PM
ur exactly correct with ur defination of SPL and DB.. did u go to school for that?? but a 149.9 out of a comp SPL car is not very impressive... and u talk about that not being in a daily driver... i know plenty of daily drivers that could out street beat u.... so im unsure as to why ur mad about people wanting more spl's in there daily driver.. they just want it to put up a number and street beat.. it is do able.. maybe u should try... maybe this will lead u to trying a new setup for street beat and having it actually put up a good number.... i encourage u to try it.. ------------- S.O.B custsoms.. South Omaha, Nebraska
Posted By: godblessdremil
Date Posted: August 18, 2005 at 7:14 PM
Na he is off on DB, Decibells are a logoritmic scale named after Alexander Gram Bell. Written dB it is use to measure SPL, but it can also be used to measure volts and watts.
Posted By: skoldspuppy
Date Posted: August 18, 2005 at 7:22 PM
Come on guys having a 145+DB daily driver is just plain dumb
1. Its a ton of money spent without any possibility of return
2. Its painfull on the ears after listing for 15 minutes at that level let alone a 2-3 hour road trip at the same volume
3. With all the new noise laws coming out, its going to get very expensive to if you get fined
Does the music really sound better to you at 145+ as compared to 130db and lower or is it just that thump in your chest you just have to have?
Or is it that famous bragging rights you get with you friends?
Or maybe this is just the new trend, either way good discussion ---Skold ------------- 2004 Honda Civic Ex 4Dr
Kenwood DDX-7015/W Nav
4 Fosgate T152C
Hifonics Brutus BX1500D
RE XXX 12 in a 4 Cube Snail Shell
Posted By: blackmica3
Date Posted: August 18, 2005 at 7:24 PM
When I designed mys system using 2 8's I would always say that I wanted a nice clean sound. And now I just say I want it to tickle your nose. I never say SPL or dB.
Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: August 18, 2005 at 7:54 PM
105 db will hurt your chest. Most of you guys don't have a clue as to what the REAL numbers are with your street systems. When jeffchilcott posts numbers, believe that they are real. You realize how many wisecracks go around saying their system does 164 dbs? There was a post on here not too long ago that said that, but when you read what the fool said and saw what he had, you knew he was living in NeverNeverLand.
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Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.
Posted By: ragoal12
Date Posted: August 18, 2005 at 8:32 PM
stevdart ur right he does post real numbers but the shop i go to here.. inphase car audio has world records in comp cars and street cars... its good that he posts real numbers cause lying about a number is just stupid... anything over 145 is good.. but not for a comp car... and some people r into car audio skoldspuppy thats why they have to have the daily driver that goes louder.. u may call it dumb but depending on ones setup it may be hot! plus i think comp cars r plain stupid that is the true waste of money all that money into a car to turn on once a week maybe... why not listen to it everyday.. thats money well spent...
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S.O.B custsoms.. South Omaha, Nebraska
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: August 18, 2005 at 10:09 PM
A decibel is simply a unit of measure. It is a logarithmic and relative function used to measure signal strength. In audio, it is the default unit of measure for SPL (sound pressure level.) 0db-SPL is equivalent to 20 microPascals of air pressure and is the threshold of hearing (referenced at 1Khz) Sound pressure levels (given in db-SPL) are relative to that value. 10 db-SPL is equivalent to 200 microPascals, for example. Approximately 10 db-SPL increase is perceived by our brains as "twice as loud." A 10 db-SPL increase at 1Khz requires 10 times the original audio power level (meaning, a 100 watt amplifier can play twice as loud as a 10 watt amplifier and it takes 1000 watts to get twice as loud as 100 watts. Etc.) Any exposure for greater than one second to 140 db-SPL will cause irreversable hearing damage. 150 db-SPL can break the bones in your inner ear and you will be deaf. The loudest natural sound ever recorded was a 188 db-SPL tone emitted by a blue whale. The loudest man-made sound ever recorded was a Saturn rocket blast-off which generated over 200 db-SPL. The loudest rock concert ever recorded was the Ramones in 1989 who hit 120.8 db-SPL (to beat the previous record held by the Who at 120 db-SPL.) The worlds record for car audio SPL competition is, I believe, 178.8 db-SPL at 74Hz. (Is this still the record?) This SPL level required something like 130,000 watts of amplifier power. If anyone actually has a "daily driver" car that will generate 140+ db-SPL (and it is actually turned up that loud) the driver and anyone else unfortunate enough to be in the car will suffer permanent hearing loss almost immediately and within a very few minutes become permanently deaf. This is called physics. Science. Physiology. 140 db is not a good idea. 110 db as an everyday experience is not a good idea. Exposure to levels above 80 db for longer than a few hours will damage your ears. ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: jeffchilcott
Date Posted: August 18, 2005 at 10:29 PM
If you dont think 149.9 is loud, check into what a stock setup can have. In Meghans class she can run a max of 3 amps. 301-900rms rating. one battery, cannot come out of the cargo compartment. And yes we think it is loud due to the fact it is the Missouri State record holder for 301-900 sotck. She is also ranked in the top 15 in the US right now. And Yes USACi world finals in oct. Then it might be a little loud
If you want to check any of this, go for it.
here is a list of the state records..
https://www.soundoff.org/statesplrecords82005.pdf
here is the member stats and other such
https://www.soundoff.org/result.htm
the competitor is meghan Bailey # C119367
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2009 0-1000 Trunk WR 154.0DB 2009 1001+ Trunk WR
2007 USACI World Champion
2007 World Record
2006 USACI Finals 2nd Place
Posted By: godblessdremil
Date Posted: August 18, 2005 at 11:54 PM
Finally someone to back me up. Someone (I forgot who) even expected me to believe he sat in a 140 dB car.
Posted By: dwarren
Date Posted: August 18, 2005 at 11:59 PM
This has turned into a pissing contest to see whose system is louder, kinda reminds me of something else...dorks
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Posted By: auex
Date Posted: August 19, 2005 at 12:11 AM
godblessdremil wrote:
Finally someone to back me up. Someone (I forgot who) even expected me to believe he sat in a 140 dB car.
It was probably me and it was actually a 160+ car, 12 12s, 12 amps, tractor batteries, alts, etc... It didn't hurt but I did feel queezy for a couple minutes afterwards. The first time I competed I hit 143.3 and I sat in that just fine. CA&E covered the show and my name and score was in it. If I could find the stupid thing I would post a screen shot.
Yes dwarren, mine is bigger. ------------- Certified Security Specialist
Always check info with a digital multimeter.
I promise to be good.
Tell Darwin I sent you.
I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.
Posted By: OhioMike1101
Date Posted: August 19, 2005 at 6:42 AM
we have the termlab at our shop and for $10 you can run through. Every car we have had run through has been a daily driver (we do not do SPL cars very often)
Scores range from low 130s to a high of 156. My daily driver does 140 at 32hz.
Everyone seems happy enough with their scores. I just hate the internet customers that come through talking so much crap about their Brahma and XXX and what not. Then they get on the mic and do a 140. They all come in bragging they can do 150+, but they don't break 142. That usually makes my day because alot of them will rag on our shop brands (RF, Powerbass, Audiobahn, Cadence, Zapco)
Posted By: jeffchilcott
Date Posted: August 19, 2005 at 6:48 AM
I would never doubt, AUEX hes is a very established member of this fourm. 160+ is insanly loud! You got me beat, the best I have actually sat in was a 59.6 another world record vehicle....0-1000 pro stock for Usaci.
The craziest vehicle I have seen and Heard, was Scott owens/Edge Audio's Scion (2) 12's yes 2!! 16 amps, and who knows how many batterys. it did a 174.X it was insane.!
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2009 0-1000 Trunk WR 154.0DB 2009 1001+ Trunk WR
2007 USACI World Champion
2007 World Record
2006 USACI Finals 2nd Place
Posted By: jeffchilcott
Date Posted: August 19, 2005 at 6:50 AM
you can see some pics of the scion here
https://www.termpro.com/asp/competitorstats.asp?Competitor_ID=34610&Season=0
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2009 0-1000 Trunk WR 154.0DB 2009 1001+ Trunk WR
2007 USACI World Champion
2007 World Record
2006 USACI Finals 2nd Place
Posted By: draggindakota
Date Posted: August 19, 2005 at 12:05 PM
I dunno about everyone else, but I just like it loud. Before I took my system out, I harley ever really blasted it except at shows, but I hit a 141 flat in my first bass comp. 4 L7 10's, 2 600 profile amps. Not to shabby for a street system pushing 1/2 power to the subs. I whooped my best friend by .9 dB that also had 4 L7's, and 2 900w profiles. I stuck my head inside a van at SBN a few years back that had 6 18" CV storkers & thought I was going to pass out. That was way to loud to be in.
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Posted By: Paradigm
Date Posted: August 19, 2005 at 12:17 PM
Yeah, pissing matches are no fun. Some people can piss longer than others  I'll be happy to hit 120dB once I get my system done. Don't have a need to get insanely loud, don't really plan to compete, except maybe for sh*ts and giggles some day. ------------- VEHICLE: 2002 GMC Sonoma ZR2
Alpine CDA-7940
AudioControl EQT x2
JL Audio 1000/1
JL Audio 10W6 (originals) x3
Kicker ZR120
Kicker ZR460
Polk GXR-6 x4
Polk GXR-4 x2
Posted By: nam-eci
Date Posted: August 19, 2005 at 12:35 PM
We always got 90-160db genuine readings...Not with the +10db switch which are on many SPLM's Depending on the size of the sub, the power of the amp & the size of the car! Saloons are all CRAP! 90db+ Hatches are all LOUD! 130+ We had 2x 15" Eminence (Yeah I know their from the 80's BUT!!! Dont Knock It Till You've Tried It !!!) Each with its own (PG) Tantrum. I thought my heart was gonna STOP! No Lie!
Posted By: ragoal12
Date Posted: August 19, 2005 at 4:23 PM
auex 160+ is pretty crazy the setup sounds nuts.. and jeff i have u beat the local shop has an extreme van that i have sat in.. it hit a 168 on the shops meter then the next day did 164 on the USACi meter.. and the truck only had 2 MA 15's and 2 4000's in it.. he has his invite to the world finals and a whole new setup thanx to memphis.. hes got something like 4 15's and 16 1000d's .. hes hoping to get close to the crossfire van.. kind of a long shot but it'll be cool no matter what..
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S.O.B custsoms.. South Omaha, Nebraska
Posted By: uthinkuknoaudio
Date Posted: August 19, 2005 at 8:32 PM
ragoal, you are such a newb, as well as the rest of you newbies. Your title is well earned. Listen, your street stereo in no way needs to exceed 140 dB. For a daily driver <140dB is perfect. 149 is not a low comp number, its how much power you put into those subs to hit 149.9dB is what matters. Don't you get that? Thats why there are competing classes, yes, classes. You don't run a ford escort with 1 12" in it vs an Astrovan with 10 15"s in it. Be careful what you post, or at least know what the heck you are talking about.
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"I don't play games. I play Nakamichi and that for real yo" - Probably some japanese kid said this in the early 80's trying to sell stereo out of his trunk lol.
Posted By: uthinkuknoaudio
Date Posted: August 19, 2005 at 8:33 PM
oh btw, (DYohn and Jeff) > you
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"I don't play games. I play Nakamichi and that for real yo" - Probably some japanese kid said this in the early 80's trying to sell stereo out of his trunk lol.
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: August 19, 2005 at 8:38 PM
uthinkuknoaudio wrote:
oh btw, (DYohn and Jeff) > you
Huh? ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: auex
Date Posted: August 19, 2005 at 8:48 PM
DYohn] wrote:
uthinkuknoaudio wrote:
oh btw, (DYohn and Jeff) > you
Huh?
He says that you and jeff know more then whoever else is in question. ------------- Certified Security Specialist
Always check info with a digital multimeter.
I promise to be good.
Tell Darwin I sent you.
I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.
Posted By: auex
Date Posted: August 19, 2005 at 9:03 PM
How did you know? How come you deleted your comment stev?
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Certified Security Specialist
Always check info with a digital multimeter.
I promise to be good.
Tell Darwin I sent you.
I've been sick lately, sorry I won't be on much.
Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: August 19, 2005 at 9:09 PM
Because I like to play with the delete button! Oh, here it was: auex, did you go to school for that? 
"Excuse me stewardess. I speak jive."
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Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: August 19, 2005 at 9:52 PM
Oh, I thought that > might mean we weighed more...  ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: ragoal12
Date Posted: August 20, 2005 at 4:36 PM
uthinkuknoaudio so since im new to this site u think im a newbie... if u only knew man.. ur right 140dB in a street car is alot and it don't need to be louder.. i never said it had to be louder than that but why make a car that goes 150dB and can only be turned on once every two weeks?? seems rather pointless doesn't it?? or u could have a system that u can listen to everyday and still hit above 150dB... well the latter makes more sense to me but u know since im a newbie i guess i'll just waist my money on something i can use everyday instead of something that i can use once every 2 weeks..
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S.O.B custsoms.. South Omaha, Nebraska
Posted By: Bigsingh
Date Posted: August 20, 2005 at 7:43 PM
u still don't get it, look 'rag' if sum1 wants to make an spl car let em, whats it to you. im makin an spl vehicle with the advice of others and jeff, why does it need to matter to you. maybe we, like all people have something that interests us, im sure theres something that interests you, for example why did you get into car audio, cause you had an interest in it, get it in your head.  ------------- 6* Rockford T2's
6* POWER AMPs
BLACK CORRADO
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Posted By: jeffchilcott
Date Posted: August 20, 2005 at 9:58 PM
Update....We were able to break 150db in a trunk car today. 1998 civic coupe. Stock class..I.E everything is in the trunk! 150.5db
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2009 0-1000 Trunk WR 154.0DB 2009 1001+ Trunk WR
2007 USACI World Champion
2007 World Record
2006 USACI Finals 2nd Place
Posted By: uthinkuknoaudio
Date Posted: August 21, 2005 at 7:28 AM
ragoal = newb....
Need i say more?
Listen dude, 150 db is rediculous for daily driving. Thats competition. Why am i even typing this?
newb...
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"I don't play games. I play Nakamichi and that for real yo" - Probably some japanese kid said this in the early 80's trying to sell stereo out of his trunk lol.
Posted By: jeffchilcott
Date Posted: August 21, 2005 at 12:15 PM
The funny thing is we are using a diffrent box for daily driving its quite odd, it was supposed to be an SPL box..but we stumbled on to a little something, the box is tiny 2.2 cu ft for 2 12 l7's it did a 146.4 on the term lab at 62hz....not daily, but also did a 145.8 at 42hz, the actual tuning is set at around 32 hz
we had put (2) 17inch long x4 inch aero ports in the box, and intended to start cutting them down inch by inch till we found a good frequency to use. The least to say its way way to loud for street so amps at set atr 1/4 gain most of the time, but its funny to pull up on some kid and play a 35 hz tone and watch his mirrors move haha
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2009 0-1000 Trunk WR 154.0DB 2009 1001+ Trunk WR
2007 USACI World Champion
2007 World Record
2006 USACI Finals 2nd Place
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