Sound Intensity Level Addition

\beta_{total} = 10\log_{10}\left(\sum 10^{\beta_i/10}\right)

How to add multiple sound sources in decibels (cannot simply add dB values).

Variables

β_total

Total sound level

Combined intensity level

βᵢ

Individual sound levels

Each source in dB

Convert each dB to intensity: I = I₀·10^(β/10), sum intensities, convert back to dB.

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