Simple Explanation

How well a speaker turns electrical power into sound—more efficient means louder sound with the same power.

Concise Technical Definition

The ratio of acoustic power output to electrical power input, often measured in dB SPL at 1 watt and 1 meter.

Layman-Friendly Analogy

Like a car's fuel efficiency—some cars go farther on the same gas, some speakers are louder with the same power.

Industry Usage Summary

Usually expressed as "X dB SPL @ 1W/1m"; critical in matching speakers with amplifiers for desired loudness.

Engineering Shortcut

Efficiency = (Acoustic Power Out / Electrical Power In) × 100%; practical spec = dB SPL at 1W/1m.

Full Technical Explanation

Efficiency in audio systems refers to how effectively a speaker converts input electrical energy into acoustic energy. It’s commonly represented as the sound pressure level (SPL) a speaker produces at 1 watt of power measured from 1 meter away (e.g., 89 dB SPL @1W/1m). This measure depends on the speaker's design, materials, and enclosure. Higher efficiency speakers require less power to achieve the same volume compared to lower efficiency models. However, true efficiency should also account for test conditions—distance, voltage (usually 2.83V at 8 Ohms), and frequency range—because misleading values can result from uncontrolled testing environments.