Dynamic Range and SNR

• Two sound system characteristics effected by how accuratley we represent a sample value:
  1. The dynamic range, the ratio of the strongest to the weakest signal,
  2. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the ratio of a given signal with the noise in the system.
• The dynamic range is limited
  1. at the lower end by the noise in the system
  2. at the higher end by the level at which the greatest signal can be presented without distortion.
• The SNR
  • equals the dynamic range when a signal of the greatest possible amplitude is present.
  • is smaller than the dynamic range when a softer sound is present.

• If a system has a dynamic range of 80 dB, a signal of 30 dB below maximum would yield a SNR of 50 dB.

• The dynamic range predicts the maximum SNR under ideal conditions.