Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR)

Definition

Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) describes the difference between your desired audio signal and the background noise floor — essentially, how much of what you want to hear versus what you don't. It's measured in decibels (dB), and the higher the number, the cleaner and quieter your signal path. A higher SNR means the signal is much higher than the noise, which is great! 

SNR and Your Kali Monitors

The sweet spot for SNR is at unity gain (0 dB) — the point where your monitor's input gain isn't boosting or cutting the incoming signal. 

On monitors like the LP-6 V2, we've made unity gain easy to find. There's a detent built into the Input Gain knob right at the 0 dB position. If you ever dial in a quick adjustment and need to return to home base, that little click is your friend.

Pro tip: If you're hearing more noise than you'd like, it's worth checking your gain staging and your cables before assuming there's a hardware issue. We have dedicated article on troubleshooting noise, and you can always reach a live agent to discuss!