Tech Glossary
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Decade - A measurement equal to the low pass frequency being ten times the high pass frequency, which is relevant in a passive band pass crossover. The difference between 500 Hz and 5000 Hz is equal to 1 decade.
Decibel (dB) - A unit of measurement for the ratio of loudness. The threshold of hearing is 0 dB. One dB SPL is the smallest audible difference in sound level.
Direct Current (DC) - An electrical current that flows in one direction.
Directional / Directionality - The angle at which a speaker disperses sound. Higher frequencies are narrower than lower frequencies. Tweeters are more directional than woofers.
Dispersion - Distribution of sound from a speaker.
Distortion - Sound that is modified or changed in some way. Measured as a percentage of the whole signal.
Dome - A convex speaker shape usually used for tweeters.
Driver - Synonymous with loudspeaker. The term also refers to a loudspeaker being coupled to a horn for acoustic coupling and controlled dispersion of sound.
Dynamic Range - The difference between the softest and loudest portions of sound that an amplifier or recorder can reproduce within an acceptable range of distortion. Expressed in decibels, the higher the number the better.