PRODUCT INFORMATION UPDATE:
Update as of 11 APR 2025
Product Information - Noise Levels (dB vs dBA)
dB (Decibels)
What it is: A unit used to measure the intensity of sound.
Scale type: Logarithmic — a 10 dB increase = sound is 10 times more intense.
No weighting: Measures all frequencies equally, regardless of how humans hear them.
dBA (A-weighted Decibels)
What it is: A weighted version of dB that adjusts for how the human ear actually perceives sound.
Filters out very low and very high frequencies that humans don’t hear well.
Common in regulations: Used in workplace noise standards, consumer product specs, and environmental noise limits.
Quick Example:
A machine might produce 90 dB of noise.
But because some of that is in a frequency humans barely hear, it might register as only 85 dBA.
When to Use:
Use dB for technical or full-spectrum acoustic analysis.
Use dBA for human hearing impact and compliance checks (e.g., "safe" noise exposure levels).
The Key Differences:
dBA = A-weighted: Reflects how the human ear perceives sound, especially by reducing the impact of very low and high frequencies.
dB (unweighted): A raw measurement of all frequencies — doesn't filter by human perception.
Why Do the Values Flip Like That?
At low speeds, the dB value is higher because it includes low-frequency hums (which we don’t hear well).
The dBA filters that out, so it shows lower numbers.
At high speeds, the dBA value becomes higher than the dB.
That suggests the fan is producing more sound in the frequency range our ears are sensitive to (like mid- to high-frequency hiss or airflow noise).
Possible Reasons for Discrepancy: (If you're seeing dbA and dB measurements on a certain unit on the website vs the product manual)
The manual might be using raw dB values (no filtering).
The website is likely using dBA, which is the industry standard for noise comfort/perception.
It's also possible they used different equipment or environments for the measurements
Bottom Line:
Both sets are accurate in their own contexts — just measured differently.
For consumer reference (comfort, quiet operation), the dBA numbers are the most relevant.
If you're doing technical or engineering comparisons, then the raw dB may be more appropriate.
Sample script below in case you encounter inquiries like this (Note: Example is taken from the MA-112 PRO air purifier)
Hi [Customer's Name],
Thank you for reaching out and for your great observation regarding the MA-112 PRO air purifier's noise levels. The difference you noticed between the numbers on our website and the product manual is due to the type of sound measurement used: The website lists noise levels in dBA — this is an A-weighted scale that reflects how the human ear actually perceives sound. It filters out very low and high frequencies that we typically don't hear well.
The manual lists levels in dB — this is a raw, unweighted measurement of sound intensity across all frequencies, without adjusting for human hearing sensitivity. Because of these different methods, the values won't match exactly — and in some cases, the dBA values may appear higher or lower depending on the frequency content of the sound at each speed setting. Please rest assured that both sets of numbers are accurate — just measured using different standards.
For everyday use and comfort comparison, the dBA (as shown on the website) is the most relevant.
Let us know if you have any other questions — we're happy to help!
Best regards,