Loudness
Definition
The perceived intensity of a sound, which correlates with, but is not identical to, level or amplitude. Influenced by frequency content, dynamics, duration, and the psychoacoustic response of human hearing.
In Simple Terms
How loud something actually sounds to your ears, not what the meter says. A heavily compressed track might measure the same as a dynamic one but feel louder because it's dense and constant. Loudness is perception, not just numbers.
In Practice
A heavily compressed track may measure louder on a peak meter but feel less engaging than a more dynamic track at the same average loudness, because the constant density causes ear fatigue.
Sources & Verification
- ITU-R BS.1770-4. Algorithms to measure audio programme loudness and true-peak audio levelInternational Telecommunication Union, 2015
- Fletcher, H. & Munson, W. A.. Loudness, Its Definition, Measurement and CalculationJournal of the Acoustical Society of America, 1933
- Moore, B. C. J.. An Introduction to the Psychology of Hearing (6th ed.)Brill, 2012
Last verified: 2026-05-05