While there is a broad, general correlation between the two (a higher SPL is generally deemed to be “louder” than a lower SPL), this is strictly true only for tones of the same frequency and timbre. T...While there is a broad, general correlation between the two (a higher SPL is generally deemed to be “louder” than a lower SPL), this is strictly true only for tones of the same frequency and timbre. This effect can be investigated by comparing the perceived intensity of a reference tone (typically 1 kHz) to that of a secondary tone, adjusting the SPL of the second tone so that it is perceived to be “just as loud” as the reference tone.
