Leq: What does it mean?

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Leq (said “L E Q”) stands for Equivalent Continuous Sound Pressure Level, and is one of the most important sound level metrics. It’s nice because it boils a sound level measurement down to one decibel level number. The Leq represents the total sound energy logged over the course of a measurement.

Since the Leq corresponds with the total sound energy, it is a useful way to predict hearing damage threats as well potential noise complaints. As a result, the Leq is ...

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Why Don’t My Noise-Canceling Headphones Block All Sounds?

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Calling headphones noise-cancelling can be deceptive. While it is true that noise-cancelling headphones are capable of counteracting some background noises, they are not perfect for all types of noise. In this article we will discuss the inner workings, limitations, and potential tradeoffs of noise-cancelling headphone technology.

All Headphones are Noise Cancelling

Technically all headphones are noise cancelling on some level. Just as putting your hands over your ears blocks incoming sound, any headphone you put on, in, or over your ear will ...

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Preamplifiers: Do I Need One?

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What is a Preamp?

A preamplifier (preamp or just “pre” for short) is an electronic component used to condition signals from a microphone or pickup. The output signal from a microphone is generally weak and noisy. If you plugged a microphone directly into an audio interface, the sound would come out distorted and garbled. Not exactly the result you want from your audio system. That’s where preamps come in.

Preamplifiers boost the strength of a signal without significantly degrading its signal-to-noise ratio ...

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