Dynamic Range specifications and measurement for audio gear

[Soundstage]

Hello,
Since this is the beginner section, I’d like to kindly ask you what should I be looking at in Amir’s/Stereophile’s reviews when it comes to dynamic range capabilities with respect to:
- DACs
- Amplifier
- Loudspeaker/headphone
What are the relevant metrics to compare? Should I be looking at sensitivity for speakers or at the step function from John Atkinson?
Thanks.

 

[solderdude]

There is one limiting factor... or rather 3 limiting factors.
1: Speakers/headphone
2: human hearing
3: recordings

DAC's and amplifiers have a dynamic range that far exceeds that of human hearing.
That is when it comes to listening to music. In the latter case it is about 70 to 80dB max.
Humans can detect sounds of even below 0dB SPL in certain conditions as hearing limit.
We can also hear very loud sounds of 120dB and louder even though it is unpleasant when the level is rather constant.
After being exposed to say 100dB SPL average for some time and it suddenly stops you can be sure you cannot detect 0dB SPL sounds.
In the other direction, when acclimatized in a dead silent room listening to very faint signs the 100dB SPL would sound like a bomb going off.

So one can say if gear has a 110dB dynamic range you can use it in your quiet room and not hear noise and during a busy day you can listen to very loud music without distortion.

In normal listening conditions, enjoying music, you don't need super specs. So don't worry too much about DAC's and even amps for dynamic range.

When you can hear limited dynamic range it is:
A: a lack of power driving headphone/speakers
B: a poor recording
C: inefficient speakers
D: Echoic conditions in a room
E: maybe other conditions

but most likely not the 'speed' of the amp or DAC.

 

[Soundstage]

Th

There is one limiting factor... or rather 3 limiting factors.
1: Speakers/headphone
2: human hearing
3: recordings

DAC's and amplifiers have a dynamic range that far exceeds that of human hearing.
That is when it comes to listening to music. In the latter case it is about 70 to 80dB max.
Humans can detect sounds of even below 0dB SPL in certain conditions as hearing limit.
We can also hear very loud sounds of 120dB and louder even though it is unpleasant when the level is rather constant.
After being exposed to say 100dB SPL average for some time and it suddenly stops you can be sure you cannot detect 0dB SPL sounds.
In the other direction, when acclimatized in a dead silent room listening to very faint signs the 100dB SPL would sound like a bomb going off.

So one can say if gear has a 110dB dynamic range you can use it in your quiet room and not hear noise and during a busy day you can listen to very loud music without distortion.

In normal listening conditions, enjoying music, you don't need super specs. So don't worry too much about DAC's and even amps for dynamic range.

When you can hear limited dynamic range it is:
A: a lack of power driving headphone/speakers
B: a poor recording
C: inefficient speakers
D: Echoic conditions in a room
E: maybe other conditions

but most likely not the 'speed' of the amp or DAC.

Thank you! Much appreciated.