What exactly is ‘Reference Level’

“Reference Level” audio is about far more than simply turning the volume up to 105 dB. That single number is often quoted, but it is only a small part of what defines true cinematic performance.

CEDIA’s RP-22 Immersive Audio Design Recommended Practice — a landmark 147-page document — explores in depth what “reference performance” really means in a private cinema or listening room. Peter chaired the expert group that authored RP-22, bringing together engineers and designers from across the industry to create the most comprehensive, product-neutral guidance available today. It can be downloaded here.

Building on that work, a specialist CEDIA task group including Peter has recently published a white paper that takes an honest look at the much-quoted 105 dB figure: explaining what it truly represents, where it applies, and just as importantly, where it does not. The paper brings clarity to an area often oversimplified or misunderstood, and it is available for download here.