In Reference 2 What?

[Warmon]

This is another one of those burning questions that everyone wants to know, right?..

You see a lot of subs that have "reference" in their name. What does that really mean? When you see it, does that mean this sub / speak is the manufacturer saying, this is the best sounding thing we make? Can it be measured or is it subjective? How is it detemined?..and does "reference" mean anything across product lines?

[BoomieMCT]

A couple of explanations;

1. There is a "reference level" (or possibly reference levels depending on what certification) for setting up home theater. It comes out to something like 75 or 85 dB at the listening position (I forget the exact levels, I'm sure someone will fill this is).

2. "Reference level" is a term that gets thrown around a lot (kind of like "extreme") so calling a piece of audio equipment "reference" makes it sound cool.

3. Like #2 it could be implying that it is so good it is what all other subs would use as a reference.

[tonyvdb]

Warmon wrote:

This is another one of those burning questions that everyone wants to know, right?..

You see a lot of subs that have "reference" in their name. What does that really mean? When you see it, does that mean this sub / speak is the manufacturer saying, this is the best sounding thing we make? Can it be measured or is it subjective? How is it detemined?..and does "reference" mean anything across product lines?

Reference level means that the sub or speaker can output a continuous level of pink noise (similar sound like what you here on a TV if not tuned to a station) at 75db although there is some argument that it is now 85db. Once set up properly if your receiver shows this if the volume level is set to 0db that should achieve reference level for movie listening.

In the recording process in the studio the levels are set at this level and not touched again so if the director wants a sound to be loud it will be and if he wants it soft then so it will be if you run your system to low the softer sounds wont be heard at all.
Reference level also implies the fact that it will allow for peaks of 105 db's at certain times.

Generally As a sub goes, it is usually set about 10db higher than the main speakers.
85db of pink noise is quite uncomfortable to listen to as it is fairly loud and should not be done for long periods of time.

[Warmon]

So maybe "reference" is 85db of continuous pink noise with < some magic number % distortion?

[yourgrandma]

Reference is a term used by reveiwers describing what they're comparing something to. Calling your gere "reference" is just like saying "this is as good as it gets".

Obviously, it's usually not a very accurate claim.

[no. 5]

BoomieMCT wrote:

2. "Reference level" is a term that gets thrown around a lot (kind of like "extreme") so calling a piece of audio equipment "reference" makes it sound cool.

Yep, I think that is why the word is usually used, some manufacturers use it to denote their top models, but I think it's mostly used because "reference earthquake-in-a-box" sounds much more impressive than simply "earthquake-in-a-box".

[Jack Gilvey]

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/featu...und-sound.html

[Otto]

Yep, I agree with the others that think it's just a cool name to use. The implication is that it's such a great sub that others will measure their offerings by it. Any such "reference" sub may or may not be able to play X dB of pink noise at Y% distortion, etc., etc., but there's no rules to this, so associating the "reference" name with any type of performance would be impossible.

Thats pretty much it.

[imbeaujp]

Jack Gilvey wrote:

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/featu...und-sound.html

Verry interesting post Jack !

JP

[Warmon]

Guys, thanks for your input. Ditto on that link from Jack...bookmarked that one!