4 ms·
The methodology might be flawed, but the point stands: We can't use the full dynamic range of a 24 bit signal for audio. Great converters have 20-21 bits of ran
by dankoss 12y ago
The methodology might be flawed, but the point stands: We can't use the full dynamic range of a 24 bit signal for audio. Great converters have 20-21 bits of range and if we fully use this range, hearing damage will start at maximum volume levels. If the volume is kept the same between the two files, there is a 48dB drop in level - not inaudible, but there are very few source materials that will actually use the extra dynamic range. On top of that due to fletcher munson curves we will only hear content in the 1-4kHz range at that low volume level.
- stinos 12y agoGreat converters have 20-21 bits of range and if we fully use this range, hearing damage will start at maximum volume levels but that doesn't have anything to do with number of bits? I mean, an audio player system is basically a digital stream sent into a DA converter outputting an analog signal which is then fed into an amplifier where the signal is amplified and then sent into speakers of some sort. No matter if you have an 8bit audio stream, or a 128bit audio stream, the stages afterwards play a much larger role in the hearing damage caused. Also not all DA converters ouput the same level to begin with. Some are -5V to 5V while others (single power supply) can be 0V to 5V, etc etc.
- dankoss 12y agoHearing damage as a result of loudness; the electronics have little to do with it. If you set up a 96dB (16 bit) system such that you can hear the lowest bit toggling, your maximum volume will be 96dB above that. 96dB SPL is loud but not painful for average listening. If you set up a 20 bit system (120dB) so that you can hear the lowest bit toggling, 120dB above that will most certainly cause hearing damage if used for very long. 144 dB (24 bit) or more SPL will cause near instantaneous damage and pain.