Properly Using the EPR Formula
I'm having problems wrapping my head around the 20 db of headroom (or more) for Concert applications.
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Hi Chad,
Using your test case variables (metric equivalents for distances) I get 13,243. Yes, it's a big number (as is the 98 dB SPL at listener position). From what I'm aware of, the 20 dB headroom for music (and 10 dB headroom for speech) recommendation goes back some time ... and have seen occasional debate(s) on justification thereof. In my opinion the spirit is to minimize any potential of amplifier clipping/distortion - but just how much (headroom) also depends on the content/application so "mileage may vary". Also noting loudspeaker sensitivity impact on result.
Lisa/Greg,
Thanks for you reply and confirmation. Just for a little context, I mostly work on contemporary house of worship spaces of all shapes and sizes.
When I adjust the headroom in the formula I can get to around 6-10db of headroom and achieve a similar wattage of what I would normally do with a those "rule of thumb" principles.
I understand "mileage may vary" and that every application is a little different. If I were to follow that formula based on any sound system model I've done, I don't think many speakers or budgets would survive. Maybe this formula is more for commerical/lobby spaces and not meant for concert sound?