![]() |
Amp/Preamp Asylum Looking for a new Amp or Preamp? If you're after tubes, post over here. |
|
In Reply to: Pedantically, our ears use the pressure of the sound to sense the sound pressure posted by 13th Duke of Wymbourne on May 29, 2025 at 16:54:56:
to sense sound pressure.
You can demonstrate this for yourself with simple test equipment. You need an amplifier, speaker, some sort of meter (VU meter works best, you can also use a sound pressure level app on your phone) and a sine/squarewave generator.
Run the sine wave thru the amp and speaker and set to a comfortable level. If using a VU meter, 0VU.
Cover up the meter and turn down the volume, switch to square wave and then turn up the volume until it sounds just as loud. Uncover the meter and you'll see that the ear uses higher ordered harmonics to sense sound pressure.
The fact that a 3rd harmonic can mask higher orders in loudspeakers has been known for some time. Its no different in amplifiers. The key is the relationship between the various harmonics. The 2nd or 3rd must be prodigious enough compared to the higher orders that the ear only hears the 2nd or 3rd (as a 'warmth' coloration, which is not annoying).
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Follow Ups
- Its easy to show that higher ordered harmonics are what the ear uses - Ralph 05/30/2508:26:40 05/30/25 (6)
- RE: Its easy to show that higher ordered harmonics are what the ear uses - morricab 12:36:12 06/1/25 (3)
- :) so which is it? - Ralph 08:21:22 06/2/25 (2)
- RE: :) so which is it? - morricab 07:50:41 06/5/25 (1)
- You misread my prior post. Please go back and read it again. nt - Ralph 09:12:14 06/20/25 (0)
- I retain my title as Most Pedantic Inmate - 13th Duke of Wymbourne 19:28:47 05/31/25 (1)
- RE: I retain my title as Most Pedantic Inmate :) - Ralph 08:57:38 06/2/25 (0)