What difference in SQ is needed to overcome a 0.5 dB mismatch in SPL between 2 components?
It is oft cited on here that a 0.1 dB mismatch in SPL will bias listening tests in favor of the louder device chain.
But the converse does not seem to have been addressed, hence my query
Not exactly. It's a criterion for level-matching the output from the compared sources, measured with a multimeter or analyzer, and based on the just-noticable difference (JND) in psychoacoustics. It not exactly that value because it varies depending on signal type/bandwidth, frequency, with the extremes needing more difference, and personal hearing.It is oft cited on here that a 0.1 dB mismatch in SPL will bias listening tests in favor of the louder device chain.
But the converse does not seem to have been addressed, hence my query
What difference in SQ is needed to overcome a 0.5 dB mismatch in SPL between 2 components?
Speakers are:But surely the OP asks a different question: if an obviously "good" speaker is compared with an obviously "bad" speaker at a precise level match, we can expect (hope?) that the "good" speaker will be preferred. But if the "bad" speaker is inched upward in level, beyond the JND, will it now automatically be preferred? Or is there something about the "good" and "bad" speakers' respective SQs that will allow the original preference to survive the new amplitude mismatch? And if so, what?
What ends up being the most important after the level-matching effort's been made is the general, broad spectral tendencies in the speakers' curves. Does that make sense?
Some loudspeakers get unpleasantly shouty at higher output levels -- so -- yes, I can.Not totally. Can you imagine a non-level-matched comparison between equipment where the quieter presentation is preferred by a significant margin? If so, why?
Some loudspeakers get unpleasantly shouty at higher output levels -- so -- yes, I can.
It is oft cited on here that a 0.1 dB mismatch in SPL will bias listening tests in favor of the louder device chain.
But the converse does not seem to have been addressed, hence my query
Can you imagine a non-level-matched comparison between equipment where the quieter presentation is preferred by a significant margin? If so, why?
But surely the OP asks a different question: if an obviously "good" speaker is compared with an obviously "bad" speaker at a precise level match, we can expect (hope?) that the "good" speaker will be preferred. But if the "bad" speaker is inched upward in level, beyond the JND, will it now automatically be preferred? Or is there something about the "good" and "bad" speakers' respective SQs that will allow the original preference to survive the new amplitude mismatch? And if so, what?
Not totally. Can you imagine a non-level-matched comparison between equipment where the quieter presentation is preferred by a significant margin? If so, why?
There is no parameter called "sound quality", but let's simplify it to how loud a speaker can play and its tone, tone just meaning that parts of the FR are different.Me too. So level matching is important mostly (only?) where the SQs under test are pre-judged to be similar?