Older sensitivity rating

[Stig]

For you vintage buffs. I found a 1960 Lafayette Electronics catalog. It has EV T-35s, it rates the sensitivity this way:

' Sens. Rtg.57db.'

As another x-ample the T-35B is 'Sens. Rtg. 54db.'

I have never seen this kind of rating before.

When did they start using the 'one watt at

one meter' standard?...curious

Thanks,

Stig

[Al Klappenberger]

Stig,

Here's the answer:

http://www.melhuish.org/audio/forum/messages/2982.htm

Thanks for asking the question. I learned something! I had to go to a friend to get the answer.

AL K.

[Ray Garrison]

Pretty cool piece of information, Stig and Al. Thanks.

Any idea WHY the sensitivity rating used be based on one-one thousandth of a watt at thirty feet? Seems to be a very, very low power level at a great distance. Taking something like an Acoustic Energy AE-1 with a measured sensitivity of about 83dB/watt/meter and converting, that seems like it would be an EIA rating of, uh, a smidge under 34dB EIA.

Can a human HEAR that?

[Stig]

Thanks Al, that one had me guessing.

I agree Ray.. the thirty feet seems a bit much. They must have had a reason.

Stig

[Al Klappenberger]

Well guys,

I'll say one thing for 1 mW at 30 feet.. Have you even been in the same room with 106 dB SPL? Take it from me, it's a painfull test!

Al K.