When a loudspeaker generates 82 dBSPL at 12 feet, what would the level be at 27 feet?

To determine the sound pressure level (SPL) of a loudspeaker as the distance from it changes, we can apply the inverse square law of sound, which states that sound level decreases by approximately 6 dB for every doubling of distance from the source.

In this scenario, the loudspeaker generates 82 dBSPL at a distance of 12 feet. We want to find the level at a distance of 27 feet.

First, we note the distance change from 12 feet to 27 feet. To clarify this in steps:

1. From 12 feet to 24 feet (double the distance), we expect a decrease of 6 dB.

2. At 24 feet, the SPL would theoretically be 82 dBSPL - 6 dB = 76 dBSPL.

3. Then, moving from 24 feet to 27 feet is a smaller change. Since this is less than doubling the distance, the decrease will be less than 6 dB.

A 3-foot increase does not allow for a significant drop compared to a doubling of distance. We can estimate that instead of a full 6 dB decrease for doubling, we could go with a decrease of approximately 2 dB (