Home Wikituition Browse all terms Categories
Random term
Waves, Oscillations & Acoustics

Loudness

The subjective human psychological sensation of sound strength, depending on physical intensity and ear frequency response.

Governing formula Loudness ∝ log10(I / I0)
SI unit Sone (or Phon)

In depth

Human ear sensitivity varies across frequencies according to Fletcher-Munson equal-loudness contours, being most sensitive around 2000 - 4000 Hz.

Examples in the real world

A 100 Hz bass tone requiring much higher physical intensity ($I$) than a 3000 Hz whistle to sound equally loud.