I recently started having problems with my Pioneer Premier DEX-P78. It was a 1998 unit so I didn't really worry. I just thought I'd replace it. Its hard to find a pre-amp only unit these days for under $600. That pioneer was just over $200.
Anyway, I've since bought a Fosgate HU with so-so numbers and three sets of 5v pre outs. It retailed for $499 but it was a last-year closeout for $199 at a popular audio website. THINK
So I figured I could live with the 90 dB S/N of the Fosgate CD player until I looked at the Premier specs and saw that it was 120 dB. What does that difference really mean in terms of the sound that makes it to my ear?
PS. I'm having the premier repaired, I love it so much.
Replies (5)
cplkittle on 12/11/2003 14:45:32
The Signal-to Noise ratio, measured in decibles, is used to measure musical signal strength v/s electronic background noise. The higher the number, the cleaner the sound. 120 is VERY high. 100-110 is very good and anything below a 90 is pretty much unheard of anymore.
curtis73 on 12/11/2003 16:42:30
will I notice much of an SPL/SQ difference?
cplkittle on 12/11/2003 16:58:47
You should be able to notice a difference between 90 and 120 in sound quality. How much, I don't really know.
I have always liked pioneer HUs, but that is just a preference.
I would say that if I had to compare (and this is just guessing) in terms of comparing S/N ratios 50 would be like FM radio, 70 would be cassette, and 110 would be cd quality sound. I'm not saying you will pick up fm radio at a cd quality, just trying to compare. I have never sat down and listened to the difference in two different stereos with different S/N ratios, but almost anyone will tell you that if you are going with sound quality throughtout your car, a good HU is going to set the standard as to how 'clean' your system sounds.
If you are using factory speakers, I don't think you will be able to tell much of difference.
Swez on 12/12/2003 03:41:52
Agreed... S/N ratios are important in HT and recording studio quality gear. But in the car, there is so much noise already as the car motivates down the road.
Speed, road conditions, wind etc., all generate substancial noise to the listening environment... (~80 dB of noise or more right there) So, really not a major issue unless you listen a lot with the engine off and parked in a very quiet area.
Swez
compvr15s on 12/12/2003 13:11:11
ive also noticed that pioneer is a lil clearer in sound, i had a kenwood 726mpv or sumtin like that and now i have a pioneer premier 750 and the quality is more noticable than anything, no more bass. the fosgate should suite you fine.
Anyway, I've since bought a Fosgate HU with so-so numbers and three sets of 5v pre outs. It retailed for $499 but it was a last-year closeout for $199 at a popular audio website. THINK
So I figured I could live with the 90 dB S/N of the Fosgate CD player until I looked at the Premier specs and saw that it was 120 dB. What does that difference really mean in terms of the sound that makes it to my ear?
PS. I'm having the premier repaired, I love it so much.
Replies (5)
cplkittle on 12/11/2003 14:45:32
The Signal-to Noise ratio, measured in decibles, is used to measure musical signal strength v/s electronic background noise. The higher the number, the cleaner the sound. 120 is VERY high. 100-110 is very good and anything below a 90 is pretty much unheard of anymore.
curtis73 on 12/11/2003 16:42:30
will I notice much of an SPL/SQ difference?
cplkittle on 12/11/2003 16:58:47
You should be able to notice a difference between 90 and 120 in sound quality. How much, I don't really know.
I have always liked pioneer HUs, but that is just a preference.
I would say that if I had to compare (and this is just guessing) in terms of comparing S/N ratios 50 would be like FM radio, 70 would be cassette, and 110 would be cd quality sound. I'm not saying you will pick up fm radio at a cd quality, just trying to compare. I have never sat down and listened to the difference in two different stereos with different S/N ratios, but almost anyone will tell you that if you are going with sound quality throughtout your car, a good HU is going to set the standard as to how 'clean' your system sounds.
If you are using factory speakers, I don't think you will be able to tell much of difference.
Swez on 12/12/2003 03:41:52
Agreed... S/N ratios are important in HT and recording studio quality gear. But in the car, there is so much noise already as the car motivates down the road.
Speed, road conditions, wind etc., all generate substancial noise to the listening environment... (~80 dB of noise or more right there) So, really not a major issue unless you listen a lot with the engine off and parked in a very quiet area.
Swez
compvr15s on 12/12/2003 13:11:11
ive also noticed that pioneer is a lil clearer in sound, i had a kenwood 726mpv or sumtin like that and now i have a pioneer premier 750 and the quality is more noticable than anything, no more bass. the fosgate should suite you fine.
Copyright ClubKnowledge 2009 * All Rights Reserved
