Specification sheets are marketing documents as much as technical ones. A few numbers genuinely predict how a speaker will perform, and several widely quoted figures tell you almost nothing without context.
Trust continuous power handling, sensitivity, dispersion angle and frequency response quoted with a tolerance. Treat peak power and maximum SPL figures with caution, and ignore any frequency response quoted without a plus or minus figure.
| Specification | Reliability | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous power (RMS) | High | Power the speaker handles indefinitely |
| Peak power | Low | Brief transient handling, easily inflated |
| Sensitivity (dB 1W/1m) | High | Efficiency, predicts required amp power |
| Frequency response ±3 dB | High | Genuine usable bandwidth |
| Frequency response, no tolerance | None | Marketing figure |
| Dispersion (H x V) | High | Coverage pattern |
| Maximum SPL | Medium | Often peak, often at high distortion |
Power handling: continuous versus programme versus peak
Continuous or RMS power is the figure that matters. It states what the speaker can handle indefinitely without thermal damage.
Programme power is conventionally twice continuous, and peak is often quoted at four times. These larger numbers appear more impressive and are frequently the ones printed largest.
Always match your amplifier to the continuous rating. An amplifier sized against a peak figure will be dramatically oversized in practice, and one sized against a misread figure can be dangerously undersized.
Frequency response and the tolerance that gives it meaning
A response of 45 Hz to 20 kHz sounds impressive until you ask at what tolerance. Without a stated plus or minus figure, the manufacturer can quote frequencies reproduced 15 dB down, which are inaudible in practice.
Look for a figure stated at plus or minus 3 dB. Some manufacturers quote minus 10 dB, which is legitimate if stated but describes a much wider and less useful range.
For comparison between models, only compare figures quoted at the same tolerance.
Dispersion and why it determines speaker count
Dispersion is quoted as horizontal by vertical, for example 90 by 60 degrees. It describes the angle within which output remains within 6 dB of on-axis.
Wider dispersion covers more area from fewer boxes but sends more energy onto walls and ceilings, increasing reverberation.
Narrower dispersion throws further with better control, which is why long or reverberant rooms benefit from tighter patterns even though more cabinets may be needed.
Impedance, connectors and physical specification
Nominal impedance determines how many cabinets you can safely parallel on one amplifier channel. Check it before planning any multi-cabinet layout.
Weight determines whether a cabinet is a one-person or two-person lift, which affects crew requirements for every event.
Check for pole sockets, fly points and their rated capacity. Rigging that was not designed into the cabinet cannot safely be added later.