Expert Advice needed: -3dB limits

Mr. Mojo
Mr. Mojo Posts: 53
edited December 2007 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
What does -3dB really mean?
It seems to be related to the upper and lower frequency range.
How often does this come into play for listening to movies/music?
Thanks for any help or expertise.
Post edited by Mr. Mojo on
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited December 2007
    I believe its a response bandwidth measurement and meaningless to a consumer at large. You will never hear a +/- 3db difference unless you are a Vampire or actual bat type creature.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited December 2007
    Just tells you the frequency at which speakers start rollling off highs and lows.
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  • Kex
    Kex Posts: 5,205
    edited December 2007
    Usually, you adjust your crossover point on your receiver or pre/pro somewhere above the lower 3dB limit.
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited December 2007
    Mr. Mojo wrote: »
    What does -3dB really mean?
    It seems to be related to the upper and lower frequency range.
    How often does this come into play for listening to movies/music?
    Thanks for any help or expertise.

    It means at a given frequency, the speaker is 3 decibels quieter than it is at a reference level. 3db is very noticeable with test tones. With actual music you may/may not notice.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited December 2007
    It's used to show the decrease in level at that frequency to demonstarte how flat the frequency response curve is across a range.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited December 2007
    yea, what they said and when a speaker hits its lower -3b point the SPL never goes back up as the frequency continues to drop so its known as the roll-off point. The spec is something to consider when you buy the speakers but after they are home you might want to set your crossover as already suggested.

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