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.