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ACOUSTIC SENSORS & TESTING SOLUTIONS

dB level references in acoustics: a cheat sheet

When working in the field of acoustics, one of the essential tasks faced by acoustic engineers is converting linear-scaled data into the decibel (dB) scale. Whether it's understanding sound pressure levels or analyzing the intensity of sound, having a clear dB reference is crucial for accurate calculations. In this blog post, we'll provide you with a concise table that serves as an invaluable tool for anyone needing to perform these conversions. Are you often finding yourself searching for "sound pressure dB reference" or "sound intensity dB level unit"? Look no further.

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QuantitydB level reference
Unit
Acceleration1x10-6
m/s2
Acoustic Particle Velocity50x10-9
m/s
Energy density1x10-12
J/m3
Force1x10-6
N
Sound Intensity1x10-12
W/m2
Sound Power1x10-12
W
Sound Pressure20x10-6
Pa
Specific Acoustic Admittance2.5x10-3
m/(Pa·s)
Specific Acoustic Impedance400
Pa·s/m
Surface Velocity1x10-9
m/s
Surface Displacement1x10-12
m
ACOUSTIC SENSORS & TESTING SOLUTIONS