The level difference, expressed in dB, between the loudest level and quietest level of a recording or live audio source.

Refers to the difference between loud and soft sounds. A speaker with wide dynamic range -- one that can reproduce the sudden and wide changes between loud and soft sounds in music and video soundtracks -- will sound more realistic.

The difference between the loudest and softest part in an audio recording, the maximum possible being determined by its sample format. For a device, the difference between its maximum possible undistorted signal and its Noise Floor.