| Metric | Unit Type | Linearity | Typical Use Case | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Logarithmic | Non-linear (10x power = +10dB) | SPL meters, hearing safety | | Phon | Logarithmic | Equal to dB at 1kHz | Comparing loudness of different frequencies | | Sone | Linear | Double the sones = double the loudness | Subjective loudness perception | | SONE118 | Linear + Offset | Calibrated reference curve | High-end DACs, studio mastering, Dolby Atmos calibration |
The magic of SONE118 lies in its linearity. If you double the power going into a speaker, the decibel level rises by 3dB, but the perceived loudness (sones) does not double. SONE118 mathematically corrects for this, allowing audio engineers to predict exactly how loud a track will feel to a human ear, rather than just how much air it moves. You won't see a "SONE118" sticker on your Bluetooth speaker at a big-box store—at least, not yet. Currently, SONE118 is reserved for professional and enthusiast-grade hardware . Here is where it manifests: 1. High-End AV Receivers Several Japanese and European manufacturers have begun including a "SONE118 Mode" in their room calibration suites. When you run the setup microphone, the receiver calculates the required amplification to achieve a 1.18 sone average at your listening position, bypassing the traditional (and often flawed) Dolby Volume normalization. 2. Studio Mastering Software Plugins like iZotope Ozone and FabFilter Pro-L have introduced "Loudness Matching" features. Some advanced beta versions now include a SONE118 preset, designed to master tracks so they are neither too quiet for classical music nor too crushed for rock, maintaining a natural 1.18 sone average for streaming. 3. Acoustic Room Treatment Architects designing home theaters now use SONE118 as a target for background noise floors. To appreciate a SONE118 calibrated system, the room’s ambient noise (HVAC, traffic) must be below 0.5 sones (roughly 35 dB). If your room is too noisy, the dynamic range of the SONE118 standard is wasted. How to Calibrate Your System Using SONE118 If you own a modern AV receiver with manual EQ settings and a calibrated SPL meter (or a smartphone app with C-weighting), you can approximate the SONE118 standard at home. sone118
Check your receiver’s firmware for a "Loudness Linearization" mode—you might just find SONE118 waiting for you. | Metric | Unit Type | Linearity |