Knowledge Centre · Understanding Noise
What is LCeq?
Like LAeq, LCeq represents an average sound level over time — but weighted to capture the low-frequency energy that A-weighting misses.
Read time
2 minutes
Relevant to
Event organisers, venues and anyone reading an event noise condition
What LCeq stands for
LCeq stands for: C-weighted Equivalent Continuous Sound Level.
Like LAeq, it represents an average sound level over time.
The difference is that LCeq uses C-weighting, which captures much more low-frequency energy than A-weighting.
Where LCeq matters
This makes LCeq particularly useful for:
- Concerts and festivals
- Amplified music
- Subwoofers
- Entertainment venues
- Low-frequency industrial noise
Many people have experienced music that can be felt through walls or windows long after the lyrics are no longer audible. That sensation is usually caused by low-frequency sound, which is often better represented by LCeq measurements.
Why events use both
For this reason, many event noise limits include both:
- LAeq limits for overall loudness
- LCeq limits for bass and low-frequency energy
Related reading
Try the calculator
See how multiple sound levels combine logarithmically, not by ordinary addition.
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