I believe that the references to force in this discussion are unnecessary and are contributing to confusion, and I believe that Atmasphere is correct. A short while ago I posted as follows in the other thread I referenced above, in relation to this matter:
-- Al
Almarg 4-20-2018My comment was seconded in that thread by Erik_Squires, who is particularly knowledgeable and experienced in speaker design. An excerpt from his post:
Assuming that a speaker is operating in a reasonably linear manner, meaning for example that it is not being over-driven to the point that thermal compression becomes significant, it seems to me that the relation between acoustic power out and electrical power in will remain constant to a close approximation. And electrical power in will be proportional to the square of the applied voltage.
Therefore it would seem to me (and I believe also to Erik, Atmasphere, and Kijanki) that since a 50% reduction in applied voltage will result in a 75% reduction in electrical power in, which corresponds to a 6 db reduction in electrical power in, the result will be a 6 db reduction in acoustic power out.
Erik_Squires 4-20-2018Regards,
... the SPL at a reference distance, measured in dB, changes in proportion to the power OR voltage when either is expressed as dB assuming there is no compression in the driver.
Said another way, for a single driver:
Delta V dB = Delta W dB = Delta SPL dB
That's what's so cool about dBs!
-- Al

