Anyone run a decibel output test on stock alpine system?

[rotwiler]

My 2013 Ram QC with alpine system I didn't test dbl it put out stock, has anyone done this before upgrades to see before and after. I tested mine today with a Decibel meter and was max 107.3 dba pretty much on every song to 110 when certain freq hit on certain music, mic was placed just above radio in center at the little storage thing. Only mods so far are infinity 3022s in each dash corner, jbl gx302 in center, sound deadened doors, rear doors jbl power series 2 ohm 6x9s. Stock sub box I filled with poly fill and added a bazooka tube dvc 2 ohm replacement sub. All still running off stock amp. I am thinking stock would be around 99dba. Also changed out my 8.4a radio to a 2015 8.4an. I am getting ready to install 2 12s with 1000 Watts rms amp, So wanted before and after #s. I turned up EQ to 3/4 bass 3/4 mids and 1 tick less than full treble, even set like that sounds good, only issue is a slight vibration in front door speakers when certain bass notes. I tested over a variety of music from rap(Cyprus hill, Cardi b, rock, ac/dc, pantera, top 40, Noah cyrus- make me cry, old school tone loc etc

 

[TomT]

Compared to what I have now I’d say the stock system was more like 12db. LOL

 

[BWL]

That's actually a bit lower than I expected. I'm hoping to get in the low 130s with my new system. Maybe I'll test my old truck at the same time as I test my new one post install since they both came with factory alpine systems and I left my last one stock.

 

[rotwiler]

That's actually a bit lower than I expected. I'm hoping to get in the low 130s with my new system. Maybe I'll test my old truck at the same time as I test my new one post install since they both came with factory alpine systems and I left my last one stock.

What did you do to your new truck? I am still running off the factory alpine amp. Only thing I did was replace the dash, rear door and put a different sub in the factory sub box, no added amps. But by next week should have the 1,000 watt amp and (2) 12s installed, that will bump it up a lot.

 

[BWL]

In the process of installing BLAM 165 MULTIX L 3ohm speakers in the front doors, BLAM MULTIX 60mm wideband highs in the dash and BLAM relax 165mm 2ohm coax in the rear doors. JL XD800.8 amp running 100X2 to rear doors 200X2 to front midbass and I figure about 60X2 to the dash speakers. Then a XD600.1 to a JL stealthbox with two TW1 10". Using the rockford DSP1 to get the signal and do the processing. Hoping I'll be happy with the results. I should be.

 

[adrianp89]

Stock is probably very close to what you tested. A 10dB increase is huge, and your upgrades don't justify the science behind it.

 

[rotwiler]

That's why I was wondering if anyone tested before upgrades. Sound quality and output is a lot better. The tweeters may be what tricks me into feeling it is a lot louder. Was just curious.

 

[adrianp89]

That's why I was wondering if anyone tested before upgrades. Sound quality and output is a lot better. The tweeters may be what tricks me into feeling it is a lot louder. Was just curious.

Yeah the brightness of the tweeters, especially on the Infinitis can really change your perception.

 

[Eestee70]

I checked mine before I changed everything out. It maxed out at 114.7db’s this was with the factory alpine 10 speaker setup. Once I changed every thing out (except head unit), this is what the system is putting out now.

 

[Witch]

Yikes

Decibel Equivalent Table (whats how loud)
10dB Absolute silence

13dB Incandescent light bulb hum

15dB Pin drop from a height of 1 centimetre heard at a distance of 1 meter

30dB Totally quiet night time in desert

40dB Whispering

60dB Normal conversation

85dB Beginning of hearing damage range, earplugs should be worn

100dB Normal average car or house stereo at maximum volume

110dB Car stereo with two 6 x 9” speakers and 100 watts

116dB Human body begins to perceive vibration from low frequencies

120dB Front row at a rock concert

125dB Drums, at the moment of striking

130dB Typical professional DJ system

127dB Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) begins. Permanent hearing loss

128dB Loudest human scream

130dB Marching band of 200 members

132dB Eardrum vibration noticeable

133dB Gunshot

135dB “Very loud” street car stereo. Bass only

140dB Threshold of pain, all frequencies

140dB Hearing protection required (definite long term damage)

140dB human throat and vocal cord resonance occurs

141dB Nausea felt after a few minutes

144dB Nose itches due to hair vibrations

145dB Vision blurs due to eyeball vibration

147dB Formula 1 race car full throttle drive bye

149dB Human lungs and breathing begins vibrating to the sound

150dB Loud rock concert, at speakers

150dB Sensation of being compressed as if underwater

152dB Vibration is painful and felt in joints

153dB Throat vibrating so hard it is impossible to swallow

154dB Compression will burst child’s balloon

155dB Experience cooling from excited air movement, up to 15 degree C perceived cooling

158dB Inside of a rock concert speaker bin with 5000 watts power

160dB Flashlight exhibits electromagnetic pulsing (dimming during tone)

163dB NHRA Top Fuel Dragsters- 5000 to 7000 horsepower

163dB Possible glass breaking level

164dB Internal sound pressure of a large jet turbine

165dB Jet airplane, Example: Boeing 727, at take off

170.75dB = 1 pound per square inch

172dB Fog is created, depending on the temperature, dew point and humidity

174dB Air begins to heat up due to compression

175dB Quarter dynamite stick, very close pressure may exceed 210 db.

177dB = 2 pound per square inch

180dB 1 pound TNT at 15 feet

181.6dB Loudest extreme SPL car in the world

183dB = 6 PSI. On large scale would result in total destruction of all structures, and particle velocity of 180 miles per hour.

191dB 1 lb. bomb or grenade at blast epicentre

193.979dB 1 bar pressure, 14.504 pounds per square inch

195dB Human eardrums rupture

202dB Death from sound wave (shock) alone.

210.6dB Earthquake Richter scale equivalent 2.0

213dB Sonic boom generates approximately 1.2 gigawatts power equivalent

215dB Space shuttle launches exhaust, approximately 3 miles per second

215dB Battleship New Jersey firing all 9 sixteen inch guns

216dB Equivalent to a piston engine cylinder with a 9 to 1 compression ratio

235.19dB Earthquake Richter 5.0 or 31,624 tons of TNT

243dB Largest non-nuclear explosion ever, 1947 explosion in **** u-boat pens used 7100 tons of explosive

248dB Atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, August 6th & 9th, 1945. Total disintegration of 16 square miles, wind was around 300 miles per hour, destroyed 28” thick concrete walls at 1 mile distance. Leaving a crater 633 feet wide and 80 feet deep.

286dB Mt. Saint Helens volcanic eruption

310dB Krakatau volcanic eruption 1883. Cracked one foot thick concrete at 300 miles, created a 3000 foot tidal wave, and heard 3100 miles away, sound pressure caused barometers to fluctuate wildly at 100 miles indicating levels of 190db at that distance from blast site. Rocks thrown to a height of 34 miles.

 

[TomT]

My biggest thing with these is the distortion level at loud volumes. I’m an old rocker who went to way too many concerts so I built my system to be as clean as possible at concert volumes.

 

[autokraftgt]

That's an interesting list!!^^^^^
Distortion can play a big part in overall db's recorded. For fun factor, a little distortion is not a bad thing cause it can make speakers SEEM louder. Very clean powered SQ vehicles can produce fairly low db numbers cause there is very little/zero distortion coming through the speakers. On many occasions, (many variables considered) I have increased wattage (sometimes doubled) to certain/all speakers and one would think that should increase db's...but in contrary, the system seemed to go down in output even though that is not the case...it sounded a little quieter but in reality the distortion levels went down with increased power which is easier on the ears....in a way....two steps forward, one step back

 

[BWL]

View attachment 125640 I checked mine before I changed everything out. It maxed out at 114.7db’s this was with the factory alpine 10 speaker setup. Once I changed every thing out (except head unit), this is what the system is putting out now.

this is why I think I'll be low 130s. That 12 you're running with the amount of power I would expect to give you about 3db more than my 2-10s. My front speakers should be close to what yours put out as far as spl and Sq as they're pretty high end and developed by ex focal engineers and I'm feeding almost 600w rms to them combined. Add to that the whole truck is going to be sound deadened, which does help as it hold in sound pressure a bit more. Just the roof to do and it'll be done this week. Once it's all in and I feel it's broken in enough I'll run a couple spl tests and I guess I'll know for sure.

 

[BWL]

The 145db eyball vibration made me laugh. I had a 92 mustang with 4 12's in it that would hit 146db in the rear seat since your head was right in front of the speakers. Sure felt like my eyeballs were shaking. Lol

 

[TomT]

Avoid the Brown Note at those volumes. LOL

 

[Witch]

Heading to the car stereo place and see what it cost for the 248dB Hiroshima install ................

 

[BWL]

Heading to the car stereo place and see what it cost for the 248dB Hiroshima install ................

I think loud enough to pop a balloon would be good enough for me.

 

[rotwiler]

I hear that, just maybe less than a few years ago. I am 51, first major concert was The Who with the Clash opening for them at the Kingdome. Think I was 15, I actually could not hear for over a day after concert, was loudest concert I ever went to.

 

[BWL]

I have an uncle that can't hear much any more from too much loud music. Mostly concerts and clubs when he was younger. Says it's the best thing to ever happen for his marriage.

 

[Witch]

I hear that, just maybe less than a few years ago. I am 51, first major concert was The Who with the Clash opening for them at the Kingdome. Think I was 15, I actually could not hear for over a day after concert, was loudest concert I ever went to.

I saw that same show in Philadelphia in 1982 The Who, Santana and the Clash