Noise in car - dBA vs dBC

[Music1969]

I have an electric car, very quiet obviously.

With no music playing and driving at 60 km/hr , I recorded average 90dB-C vs 62dB-A

That's quite a big difference

I suspect main difference is the low frequency bass from road bumps - can get quite loud, peaks above 90dB-C

That is loud - anything to be worried about?

When car is not driving (no road noise) I measured my music listening is around 70dB-C - so the limiting factor in terms of noise in my car isn't music but road noise

 

[Blumlein 88]

Even quiet cars aren't that all that quiet. The difference in C weighted vs is A is normal. C is pretty much flat, and A rolls off the low end. Most cars have a big resonance somewhere below 40 hz. So anytime it is moving you'll get a big number down low. That is usually related to how torsionally stiff the car is.

 

[Music1969]

Even quiet cars aren't that all that quiet.

My partner's petrol car (BMW) is even worse , as expected with engine noise

A BYD Atto3 I rented (not my car) does some of the best work with minimising road and wind nosie - super quiet even driving at 100 km/hr

 

[DVDdoug]

A-weighting better approximates human hearing so for most practical purposes it's the best measurement. But it's no good for measuring the frequency response of speakers.

 

[EJ3]

My partner's petrol car (BMW) is even worse , as expected with engine noise

A BYD Atto3 I rented (not my car) does some of the best work with minimising road and wind nosie - super quiet even driving at 100 km/hr

Is quietness a reason that you bought this electric car?
I ask, because that would never be on my list unless a car was excessively loud (which would take the car of my list).
I received a ticket for speeding (actually over-taking the Police) while driving my wife's 2012 Lexus ES350(the first ticket that I have received in 35 years) because the Lexus is so much quieter than anything that I would normally drive that I was lulled into a stupor.
Even with the stereo blasting.
I was comfortably numb.

 

[Music1969]

Is quietness a reason that you bought this electric car?

Only one of many things on my list.... much quieter than any petrol cars but road and wind noise still have room for improvement.

I just top up "fuel" in my garage overnight every 4 nights and servicing only required every 2 years (mainly tyres and brakes systems checks) and long list of other things I looked for.

I wouldn't buy a car because of one metric...

It would be like buying a DAC based only on SINAD even if it has average performance in other areas (maybe poor built in headphone amp if needing that).

 

[EJ3]

Only one of many things on my list.... much quieter than any petrol cars but road and wind noise still have room for improvement.

I just top up "fuel" in my garage overnight every 4 nights and servicing only required every 2 years (mainly tyres and brakes systems checks) and long list of other things I looked for.

I wouldn't buy a car because of one metric...

It would be like buying a DAC based only on SINAD even if it has average performance in other areas (maybe poor built in headphone amp if needing that).

Many do seem to buy because of one metric (usually "I heard that...").
Most of the reasons you mention are reasons I would not buy one. I enjoy tinkering, modding, etc.
Maybe that wind noise issue could be done with some changing of the aero for less wind noise (I have done some things on my cars aero that where done for better road holding, that also resulted in less wind noise at the side windows).
So, maybe you can do something that will have a positive effect on that. Something to be careful of is the way rain comes of the side of the car when you open the door and if what you do has a negative effect with that.
It is very typical for me to jump in one of my vehicles & drive 500 miles & 5-8 hours later drive (in another direction, 600 or 700 miles) & then, in 10-12 hours, drive the 1000+ miles back to home.
So, range & quickly being able to fuel up are a primary requirement.
Even my 1971 Super Beetle has (with an additional fuel cell mounted behind the rear seat), a 22 gallon capacity. On the road, I could at 31 MPG at 75 MPH, in theory, go 682 miles. But, that would require me not stopping, not piddling around, not going down interesting trails, or even going completely off road to go to interesting places in between.
If I am not getting out & doing those things, I may as well sit at the house, watch crap on TV, eat my into oblivion & become a burden to society.
I have no schedule & go where I want to and do what i want to. My wife is the same. Sometimes we do those things together & sometimes not (I did get here a 2024 Subaru CrossTrek & have raised it 2" [as well as some other modifications to it for deep water] so she can do the same without the worry of a breakdown).
I love cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc.
It doesn't matter the one you choose as long as it is the right one for you.
Unfortunately, just like why we are here on ASR (to prevent choice mistakes due to a lack of knowledge).
Many choose the wrong vehicle for themselves (and their family) due to hearsay and false advertising.

 

[Music1969]

It is very typical for me to jump in one of my vehicles & drive 500 miles & 5-8 hours later drive (in another direction, 600 or 700 miles) & then, in 10-12 hours, drive the 1000+ miles back to home.

I've never had to do such so yes, I can see how an EV is not a fit for you.

It is a perfect fit for my needs, saving me time and money and less noise inside the car, to enjoy music more.

For the longer trips (maybe handful times a year) we use my partner's SUV. It is new but still not as quiet as mine but it will get us long range for those trips.

For daily driving I am super happy with my EV.

 

[Chrispy]

I've used a wide variety of vehicles and sound systems over many more years than I care to admit . Most car systems seem to be based on max spl, and not a lot otherwise.

 

[Music1969]

I've used a wide variety of vehicles and sound systems over many more years than I care to admit . Most car systems seem to be based on max spl, and not a lot otherwise.

I EQ my car's system. Can change the SQ a lot. Just like room correction with speakers in home

 

[EJ3]

I've never had to do such so yes, I can see how an EV is not a fit for you.

It is a perfect fit for my needs, saving me time and money and less noise inside the car, to enjoy music more.

For the longer trips (maybe handful times a year) we use my partner's SUV. It is new but still not as quiet as mine but it will get us long range for those trips.

For daily driving I am super happy with my EV.

If I had a daily commute into a city, I can understand your use.
My work has always been outside and rarely inside city limits.
As to my current driving, it mostly involves taking my wife or going and retrieving my wife from her work.
And taking care of my 90 year old (but in great shape, mother).
Between those 2, I find myself emulating a one legged man in a butt kicking contest.

 

[Juhazi]

dB(A) weighting is the one used to evaluate risk for hearing damage by long-term exposure. That's why we see it mentioned in vehichles and machines.

What is an A-weighted decibel (dBA or dB(A))?

Learn about A-weighted decibels, an expression of the relative loudness of sounds as perceived by the human ear. Explore how dBA works, is measured and is used.

www.techtarget.com

 

[EJ3]

Is quietness a reason that you bought this electric car?
I ask, because that would never be on my list unless a car was excessively loud (which would take the car of my list).
I received a ticket for speeding (actually over-taking the Police) while driving my wife's 2012 Lexus ES350(the first ticket that I have received in 35 years) because the Lexus is so much quieter than anything that I would normally drive that I was lulled into a stupor.
Even with the stereo blasting.
I was comfortably numb.