what does spl stand for? it says specialized for spl in some features on subs and other sound quality. it would be great if someone knew thanks

 

(S)ound (P)ressure (L)evel

Basically it is a reference to how loud something is.

 

sound pressure level

edit: haha fadetoblack you beat me to it.

 

SPL is not meant to quantify "loudness". It is a measure of pressure. Some lower frequencies can actually have less audible volume but have higher decibels.

 

The point is most things made just for high SLP are not so high in sound quality.

 

Just because a certain frequency isn't audible, doesn't mean it is not loud. Just because you can't hear a dog-whistle, doesn't mean that your dog doesn't think that it is loud as hell. That is why SPL contests are judged using a calibrated meter and not just someone sticking there head in the window and going "this one is loudest". If lower frequencies weren't "loud", why is it mandatory that anyone sitting in a SPL competition car (at least one that is regulated by a sanctioning body) must wear ear protection? Answer: Because it is LOUD! Perception has nothing to do with loudness. What our grandmothers call "Loud" would only seem normal to us. SPL is most definitely meant to quantify "loudness". The following is copied from Rane's Pro Audio Glossary.

sound pressure level or SPL 1. The rms sound pressure expressed in dB re 20 microPa (the lowest threshold of hearing for 1 kHz). [As points of reference, 0 dB-SPL equals the threshold of hearing, while 140 dB-SPL equals irreparable hearing damage.] See: inverse square law 2. Blue whales, the largest living animals, also make the loudest sounds by any living source. Their low-frequency pulses have been measured at 188 dB-SPL and detected 530 miles away according to The Guinness Book of World Records®.

Notice the quote: "Blue whales, the largest living animals, also make the loudest sounds by any living source."