How loud is 50dbA

[Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 912
Forum Member
✭✭
Just got an air conditioner (figured I'd grab a bargain out of season) that has a "silent" mode... The operating volume at "silent" mode is "<50dba"... I tried running it at "Silent" to test it, and there wasnt much of a noticable difference between full power and silent - both were bloomin loud!

So what I'm asking is: how loud is 50dbA?! What is 50dbA comparable to? Its only slightly quieter than the Dyson, is that about right?! Just so I know if I need to send it back as faulty or not.

Comments

  • chris2k2chris2k2 Posts: 9,886
    Forum Member
    50 dB is 50 dB :D

    IIRC a train horn is 100 dB, so half that.

    Also now, these new car radios are limited to 100 db so half that.

    The Concorde when it was still round took off at 102 dB, so just under half that.

    I might be wrong though.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 2,301
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    wouldn't silent be 0 dB
  • tghe-retfordtghe-retford Posts: 26,449
    Forum Member
    ✭✭✭
    Wikipedia has a chart of decibel levels and the equivalent sounds:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decibel#Safety

    Hope this helps. :)
  • chris2k2chris2k2 Posts: 9,886
    Forum Member
    imcheekyme wrote:
    wouldn't silent be 0 dB


    It would depend.

    0db is the threshold of human hearing.

    However some people can actually still hear at this level.
    No one I know though.
  • KJ44KJ44 Posts: 38,093
    Forum Member
    chris2k2 wrote:
    I might be wrong though.

    You are, so good call. :D

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decibel#Safety

    experimentation has determined that the response of the human ear results in a perceived doubling of loudness for approximately every 10 dB increase (part of Stevens' power law).
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 912
    Forum Member
    ✭✭
    Thanks for the replies :)

    80 Vacuum cleaner
    ...
    50 Quiet restaurant inside

    So I guess if I put the hover at one side of the room, and the air con at the other, and the hover drowns it out, its about right :)

    Thanks again!
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 912
    Forum Member
    ✭✭
    imcheekyme wrote:
    wouldn't silent be 0 dB

    You'd think so... I was expecting the "silent" setting to just make a light breeze but not cool as well (for bed time) but doesnt look that way :(
Sign In or Register to comment.