With an IEC
noise power rating of 100 watts and a sensitivity of 91 dB (one watt at one
meter), a single 8330 can produce an instantaneous midband level of 111 dB at
a distance of 1 meter. At a more realistic distance of 6 meters (20 ft), the
peak level would be 95 dB.
Surround
loudspeakers are always used in multiples, normally 8 or 12 per surround
channel. If we consider 6 meters as the average distance from a typical
listener to all of the surround loudspeakers, the effect of 8 surrounds would
increase the overall level by 9 dB, giving an average peak level in the house
of 104 dB. The use of 12 surrounds would produce a peak level, per surround
channel, of 106 dB. Normally the reason for specifying 12 over 8 surrounds is
not for the sake of more level, but for better diffusion of the surround
effect.
System response
is switchable between flat on-axis and rolled off high frequency response
corresponding to recommended equalization practice in the film industry.