Generator DB ratings

n7bsn wrote:
EsoxLucius is correct

The best way (and the way we reported, when I worked in the industry) was dBA/meter or dBA/yard. That removes the entire "what distance" question. (the difference between meter and yard is below 0.1, we -always- used meter, just cause)

Some general notes:
*A 3dB change is twice the ENERGY, not twice as LOUD.
*A 10dB change is ten TIMES the energy.
*At twice the distance, the dB change is not twice, due to ground reflecting sound, etc, messes up the situation. Example, in a "free air" situation, ten times as far away results in a decrease of 20 dB. But if you put something a meter above the ground and move 10 times as far away, the decrease is SOMETHING else.
*Since the human ear is not linear (like 2 times) nor log (dB), what is "felt" like "twice" as loud it would be something like 6dB (or 4 times the energy)

the honda 2000 in eco or 1/4 load vs. full load has about a 6db difference. yup, I say qualitatively it's around twice as loud to my perception. Enough that I wish the full load was 53db, not 58 or 59 whatever the spec is. And jump to the 65dbish open frames is again for me a very significant noise increase.

Now trying to quantify the difference between say a honda 3000 (not the handy) and the honda 2000, much tougher. yes the 3000 is quieter, but not near a noticeable a difference. IIRC its on the order of 3db lower at 1/4 and full load than the 2000.

Or running a pair of honda 2000 vs. a single honda 2000. noticeable yes, barely. And IIRC assuming they are both at the same rpm and load, db should go up by about 3db vs. a single generator.

so I'd agree, 3db is perceptible, 6db way more than noticeable, it's significant, especially at lower noise levels.