Measuring Sound Output
Stereo power meters, also known as volume-unit meters, monitor and then display in various methods the power level reaching and transmitting through each stereo speaker. The purpose of the meters is to measure the approximate output of the power coming out of the speakers.
Visual Display
In older stereo systems, the power display is a dial and needle meter set up with an indicator pointer and numbering guide often ranging from one to 10, with 10 signifying the strongest power (sound) output. In newer digitally controlled stereos units, power is displayed in LED with a digital numeric display or a moving bar chart with the bars rising with greater power output and falling with less.
Technical Operation
Stereo power meters rely on two electrical circuits with each connected to the amplifier that communicates to the display the power reading level. Each time that the output power doubles as controlled by the user operated knob or button, the indicator will go up a level up to the point that the top output level is achieved.
Tags: output power, power meters, Stereo power meters, that output