What Is Speaker Sensitivity, and How Does It Affect Your Wireless Audio?
Two speakers can list the same wattage and still play at very different volumes. The reason is usually speaker sensitivity, one of the most useful and least understood numbers on a spec sheet. Once you know how it works, you can choose a wireless speaker that sounds big, lasts longer on a charge, and stays clean when the party gets loud. What Is Speaker Sensitivity? Speaker sensitivity measures how efficiently a speaker turns electrical power into sound. It is rated in decibels (dB), measured at one meter with one watt of input. A speaker rated at 90 dB produces 90 decibels of sound pressure under those conditions. A higher number means the speaker gets louder from the same amount of power. A lower number means it needs more power to reach the same volume. Why a Few Decibels Make a Big Difference Decibels are logarithmic, so small gains add up quickly: Every 3 dB of extra sensitivity means the speaker needs half the amplifier power for the same volume. Most listeners perceive e...