Does Doubling the Number of Flutes Double the Sound Intensity?

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Doubling the number of flutists does not result in a doubling of sound intensity due to the non-linear response of the human ear to sound pressure. Instead, adding a second flutist increases the sound level by only about 3 decibels, rather than the 10 decibels needed to perceive a doubling of loudness. The relationship between sound intensity and perceived loudness is logarithmic, meaning that sound pressure must increase significantly to be perceived as louder. The formula for this conversion involves a logarithmic calculation based on changes in power. Thus, while two flutists create more sound energy, the increase in perceived loudness is not proportional.
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If 2 flutist play their instruments together at the same intensity, is the sound twice as loud as that either flutist playing alone at that intensity? Why or why not?
 
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No, because the ear's response to sound pressure is not linear. Doubling the sound pressure does not double the perceived loudness.

- Warren
 
The generally accepted level of change required to be perceived as a doubling/halving of sound level is 10 decibels.

Doubling the sound energy by adding the second instrument results in an increase of only 3db.

You can use the formula to go from a linear scale to logarithmic.

10 * log(change in power)


Cliff
 

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