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dB is measured by using either a microphone or a pressure sensor. The sensors are much more accurate. Specifically the Termlab USB sensor. It is the best measuring device and other meters can make you think you are anywhere from 3 - 10 dB louder than you actually are. More important than equipment selection, is box design. Give a novice $500 to spend, he'll be lucky to get into the mid 130s. Give the money to someone that knows what they are doing, hello 140s :-D.
If you haven't had your system metered in a while, get it metered on a 2004+ Termlab USB, you'll probably be shocked at your #, most likely considerably lower than what you were used to.
Also, sensor location affects your # tremendously. "Legal" is considered on the dash with the windows up, usually a specific number of inches from the A pillar and dash. "Outlaw" means you put the port wherever you want and do almost whatever you want to do short of touching the sensor or slamming a car door. "Port Wars" is when you put the sensor in the port of the box (if your box is ported), and #s are seriously inflated in this method.
There is so much that goes into SPL competition that it is impossible to even give someone an estimate as to what they will hit. If you want to learn a whole lot about this whole scene, visit www.termpro.com. You will quickly learn who to listen to and who to dismiss.
Any questions and I'll be happy to answer, I love this stuff.
EDIT - To keep on topic, I've hit..
141 dB with 6 8s and 1200 watts
142 dB with 1 12 and 1200 watts
Unfortunately both of those setups were before I gained much of the knowledge I now have. Once I gained the logic to really work some magic, I turned poor :-D.
Edited by bangincaraudio, 26 January 2005 - 09:27 PM.
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