1. What is the Decibel Decrease Over Distance?

The decibel decrease over distance calculates how much sound level decreases as you move away from a speaker. This follows the inverse square law in free field conditions, where sound pressure level decreases by 6 dB for each doubling of distance.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• Distance — Current distance from the speaker (meters)
• Reference Distance — Original measurement distance (typically 1 meter)

Explanation: The formula calculates the logarithmic decrease in sound pressure level relative to a reference distance.

3. Importance of Distance Attenuation

Details: Understanding sound level decrease is crucial for audio system design, event planning, and noise control. It helps predict how sound will propagate in different environments.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both distances in meters. The reference distance is typically 1m (standard measurement distance for speaker specifications). Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why does sound decrease with distance?
A: Sound energy spreads over a larger area as it travels, following the inverse square law in free field conditions.

Q2: Is the decrease always 6dB per doubling of distance?
A: In perfect free field conditions yes, but real environments with reflections may show less decrease.

Q3: What's a typical reference distance?
A: 1 meter is standard for speaker specifications, but you can use any reference measurement point.

Q4: Does this apply to all speaker types?
A: The principle applies to point sources. Line arrays and other configurations may behave differently.

Q5: How does environment affect the results?
A: Reflections, absorption, and obstacles can significantly alter the actual sound level at different distances.