Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

phon

Noun

/fɒn/

Definition

A unit of measurement for the perceived loudness of sounds, equivalent to one decibel at a frequency of 1 kHz.

Examples

The sound measured at 40 phons is perceived as equally loud to a 1 kHz tone at 40 dB.
When discussing loudness, it’s essential to understand the concept of phon for accurate assessments.
Phons are used in various fields such as audio engineering and acoustics.

Meaning

Phon measures how humans perceive loudness. Unlike decibels, which quantify sound pressure, phon takes into account how the ear responds to different frequencies.