Audio Terminology Demystified: A Buyer's Guide
Audio specs confuse most people. Hz, watts, dB, impedance explained simply—no engineering degree required.
Essential Audio Terms
Hertz (Hz) - Frequency
20-20,000 Hz equals human hearing range. Lower Hz equals bass; higher Hz equals treble. Spec claim: "5Hz-50kHz" equals marketing (you cannot hear it). Real spec: response flat across 20-20,000 Hz.
Decibels (dB) - Loudness
Logarithmic scale. 90dB twice as loud as 80dB. 100dB is dangerously loud. SPL (Sound Pressure Level) for headphones; THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) for quality.
Watts (W) - Power
Higher watts equals more power available. 20W speaker louder than 10W, but wattage alone doesn't determine sound quality. Efficiency (how much dB per watt) matters more.
Impedance (Ohms)
32 ohm: easy to drive from phones. 250 ohm: needs amplifier. Impedance matching affects sound. Lower impedance equals more current draw (battery drain on phones).
SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio)
Higher SNR equals cleaner sound, less hiss. 80dB SNR is good; 100dB plus is excellent. Matters for headphones and speakers.
What Actually Matters
Listen in person when possible. Specs don't capture the complete picture. Two headphones with identical specs can sound completely different due to tuning, driver quality, and seal fit.