There is a problem with your method of comparison. Sensitivity doubles
whenever the number doubles, but in dB the signal doubles every time you ad=
d
6 dB. Comparisons between different specs are only meaningful on the same
scale.
I've made up a little spreadsheet for comparing the specs of mics. Get it a=
t
http://science.uvsc.edu/Wilson/downloads/MicrophoneComparson.xls
To find out what the columns mean, mouse-over the column headings. Insert
the specs of an interesting mic in the green columns, and those specs will=
be returned in the red columns in units of dBu. Derived specs are in orange=
.
I've added a comparison to the spreadsheet I've never seen before, hoping t=
o
answer the grand question nature recordists have when comparing specs: "How=
loud with the noise seem to be when listening to the same signal with
several different mics?" I simply calculated what the apparent noise level=
would be (in dBu) for a 1 mPa sound level (which is 60 dB below the standar=
d
1 Pa used for sensitivity specs). It's probably not considered a legitimate=
spec by the audio engineers, but maybe it will help in combining the
sensitivity and noise numbers into a single value.
As you add columns for mics that interest you, please send me your
spreadsheet and I'll copy your data into the downloadable file. Eventually=
we might list a fairly complete set of mics.
Bruce Wilson KF7K
http://science.uvsc.edu/wilson
|