Signal/Noise ratio, Dynamic Range numbers

[ROCKMORE]

Can someone give a brief description of what numbers I should be looking for and what they all mean in terms of Signal to Noise ratios and Dynamic range. If there is a link to a thread covering it I missed it. Audio 101 perhaps.

for example/

Signal/noise ratio: 76 dB

Dynamic range: 113 dB

 

[Alex H.]

Really, you want the highest number of each. S/N ratio is given as a dB rating, and there's an assumed ":1" that follows. The higher the number, the better s/n ratio (the lower the noise). So, 80dB (80:1) is better than 72dB (72:1). As for dynamic range, that's the range from the lowest level the mic can "hear" to the highest level it can handle before distortion. The higher the number, the better the dynamic range. Though, depending on application, max SPL handling (the highest dB rating the mic can handle) may trump dynamic range (recording firearms/fireworks, for example).