When you’re browsing speaker specs, you might come across something called “sensitivity,” usually listed in decibels (dB). It’s one of those numbers that looks technical—but if you know how to read it, it can actually tell you a lot about how loud a speaker can get with a given amount of power.
What Is Sensitivity?
Sensitivity tells you how efficiently a speaker converts power (watts) into sound (decibels).
It’s typically measured by playing a 1 kHz tone at 1 watt of power, from 1 meter away, and recording how loud it is in dB SPL (Sound Pressure Level).
So, if a speaker has a sensitivity of 88 dB, that means it produces 88 decibels of sound from just 1 watt of power at 1 meter.
Why It Matters
In simple terms: higher sensitivity = more volume with less power. That’s why it’s especially relevant in battery-powered Bluetooth speakers, where every watt counts.
- A speaker with low sensitivity needs more power to reach the same loudness. That can drain the battery faster or strain the amplifier.
- A speaker with high sensitivity can sound louder at lower power, which is great for portable devices trying to maximize efficiency.
But sensitivity isn’t the only factor—driver size, enclosure design, and DSP tuning all play a role too.
Is Higher Always Better?
Not necessarily. While higher sensitivity means more volume per watt, it doesn’t automatically mean better sound quality. A speaker with excellent drivers and tuning might have slightly lower sensitivity but still sound better overall.
That said, if you’re comparing two similar speakers and one claims 83 dB and the other 91 dB, the 91 dB model will likely play noticeably louder without as much power—an important consideration for outdoor use or large spaces.
Bottom Line
Speaker sensitivity measures how loud a speaker gets with a given amount of power. It’s especially useful when evaluating battery-powered speakers, where efficiency matters. While it’s just one piece of the puzzle, a higher sensitivity rating usually means more volume—and better battery life—with less strain.
