dynamic range (of an electroacoustic transducer)

6.74  dynamic range (of an electroacoustic transducer). The range in operating amplitude between a minimum threshold level that is set by the inherent noise and an upper limit set by tolerance in nonlinearities or distortion. Unit, decibel (dB).

Annotation 1                  The dynamic range is usually specified for a particular operating frequency range.

Annotation 2                  Useful dynamic range is typically limited by electric circuit noise or mechanical membrane noise due to the Brownian motion of air molecules impinging on the membrane. The nature of the noise limit should be stated explicitly (e.g., equipment noise, thermal noise, etc.).

Annotation 3                  The method of nonlinearity or distortion determination and the type of nonlinearity or distortion should be specified (e.g., tolerance for signal level deviation from a nonlinear response, overheating, damage, etc.).