Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sdd.hp.com!hplabs!hpl-opus!hpcc05!hpyhde4!hpycla!hpcuhc!pollux!dlow
From: dlow@pollux.svale.hp.com (Danny Low)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Subject: Re: Sierra(Was: Re: Sound cards-sound blaster, adlib, roland..)
Message-ID: <5870040@pollux.svale.hp.com>
Date: 16 May 91 19:22:02 GMT
References: <1991May6.131225.27156@informatik.uni-erlangen.de>
Organization: HP Lovecraft Division
Lines: 21

>(Scott Mason) 
>The 4 Watt rating of the Soundblaster is the maximum electrical
>power that it can supply to the speakers and still achieve
>reasonable distortion levels. Normally this is an ``RMS'' value,
>which indicates that the ``average'' output can reach this level.
>It can be inflated by specifying it as a ``peak'' value instead,
>in which case the loudest output can reach this level. Note that
>this is at best a guideline unless the manufacturer specifies
>what they consider reasonable distortion. 

The Federal Trade Commission requires that power ratings be
specified using the RMS method based on test standards from the agency.
The manufacturer is free to provide ADDITIONAL
power ratings but the RMS rating must be specified. This rule
has been in effect for well over 10 years and was made to
end the various inflated power ratings that maker were using.

			   Danny Low
    "Question Authority and the Authorities will question You"
	   Valley of Hearts Delight, Silicon Valley
	     HP NPCD   dlow@pollux.svale.hp.com