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Hello, is 1 dB difference large?

quaddriver said:
Was the OP misunderstood? I dont think he was asking about 1dB absolute value, but rather difference. Its logarithmic. xdB to x+1dB is not the same as say xmV to x+1mv. when graphed.
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Good point, we need to define the reference. Ive been discussing dB SPL, as that is what the app-based sound meter measures.
 
IME a 1dB difference in level is only audible with steady state tones. I can hear a 2dB difference with music when listening very closely. Having some gear that increases or lowers volume by as little as .25dB per step is very helpful for answering this question.
 
:no:

You guys need to get real. A change of just 0.2 dB is audible in a quiet controlled environment, especially if it is in the critical midrange area. But you need to be able to instantly A/B the change.

My Yamaha RX-Z9 voluime control is calibrated in 0.5 dB increments, and I have confirmed this many times using a PROFESSIONAL sound level meter. I can typically hear this 0.5 dB change as I adjust the volume across the volume range, and can always hear it when it is in the critical listening range.
 
toddalin said:
:no:

You guys need to get real. A change of just 0.2 dB is audible in a quiet controlled environment, especially if it is in the critical midrange area. But you need to be able to instantly A/B the change.

My Yamaha RX-Z9 voluime control is calibrated in 0.5 dB increments, and I have confirmed this many times using a PROFESSIONAL sound level meter. I can typically hear this 0.5 dB change as I adjust the volume across the volume range, and can always hear it when it is in the critical listening range.
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Congratulations on your excellent hearing and not having theoretical ears.:D
 
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You might want to try a little test: https://www.audiocheck.net/blindtests_index.php (the first one there)

If I do that (with the built-in speakers of my old notebook and in pretty low volume), I can still reliably detect the test tones getting 1 dB louder. Whereas I'm having a hard time to tell the constant tones from the ones with a reduction of 1 dB.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
 
Just noticeable difference.

One thing I didn't like about using DACT attenuators years ago in lieu of a preamp was their 2 db steps. With some content, I could never fully balance the two channels.
 
Thanks all.

My studio room is not Symmetrical, not sure if it is the reason.

I moved the speakers and subwoofers here and there, now both speakers seem balanced in the listening position.

Another, I connect subwoofer to only ONE (right or left) preout of the receiver, I found it effects the speaker volume level, means the speaker on the being used preout side is weak a bit.

Thanks.
 
Doug G. said:
A 1 dB difference tolerance between channels is very common with phono cartridges and actually, probably in other components,too. If that's all there is, I would stop worrying about it and balance the channels with the balance control. What dcmfan said is true, too. Speaker placement and room effects can influence perception. With my quad system, I have to have the balance controls favored to the left a bit because the two right channel speaker stacks are against a wall and the left channel stacks are not.

Doug
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I have a similar issue, my right speakers are in corners, which means I have the balance controls set one click to the left.
 
vintagetree said:
Thanks all.

My studio room is not Symmetrical, not sure if it is the reason.

I moved the speakers and subwoofers here and there, now both speakers seem balanced in the listening position.

Another, I connect subwoofer to only ONE (right or left) preout of the receiver, I found it effects the speaker volume level, means the speaker on the being used preout side is weak a bit.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Why would you not drive both channels of your subwoofer? If you're using digital sources bass can be and often is different in both channels.

LP's almost always have the bass from 100Hz down as a mono signal.
 
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