Decibels increase exponentially since they’re measured logarithmically. Near silence is expressed as 0 dB but a sound measured at 10 dB is actually 10 times louder. If a sound is 20 dB, that’s 100 times louder than near silence. Here’s some context:
• Normal conversation – 60 dB
• Heavy city traffic – 85 dB
• Lawn mower – 90 dB
• Headphones at max volume – 105 dB
• Sirens – 120 dB
• Concerts – 120 dB
• Sporting events – 105 to 130 dB
• Fireworks – 140 to 160 dB
• Firearms – 150 dB and higher
I leapt down this rabbit hole after driving an immensely smooth and silent electric car – I could hear my own breathing. Bear in mind, it was an entry level hatchback. I theorised the road noise, heard from the cabin, might drop further with premium tyres.
Tyres for this car ranged from 68dB – 73dB, which led me to think – why in the world are the 68dB tyres twice as expensive than the 73dB?
It’s because it’s not the same as turning up the tv volume by 5 increments, from 30 to 35. It’s the same as turning the volume up x5, from 30 to 150.
