SPL Meter

[RMarsh83]

Everyone here has an SPL meter. Looking on Amazon I found a wide variety of meters available, and am wondering if anyone has some advice on the best meter and key features to look for in a good meter (such as analog/digital, frequency response, accuracy). I plan to use this with my new subwoofer, so will need good extention on the readings. Also, where is the best place to get a good deal on one?

 

[AVRat]

http://www.radioshack.com/sm-digital-display-sound-level-meter--pi-2103667.html or
http://www.radioshack.com/sm-7-range-analog-display-sound-level-meter--pi-2103668.html

 

[Dolby CP-200]

AVRat

Hello

I’ve had many years experience with an analogue type from Radio Shack or Tandy as it used to be called here in the UK many years ago!

Also a good eye for the needle on the analogue type, the digital types will have the display moving around too much and would be pain in the butt. Go for an analogue type fair easier and more affordable as well.

Note: this a newer design from the one I’m presently using today.

Use A weighting when setting up the fronts as it is restricted to 500Hz to around 16.000KHz C weighting is for full range and when setting the fronts and surrounds up use A weighting the needle will be very steady and always use (wideband pink noise) while setting up.

A tripod screw bolt is fitted underneath the SPL db metre for easy positioning and has a pre-output that can be sent to an RTA display.

 

[RMarsh83]

Are those models equally sensitive to sound pressure at all frequencies?

 

[MDS]

Are those models equally sensitive to sound pressure at all frequencies?

No, you can set it to use A or C weighting. You want to use C weigthing for balancing the channels. You can use A weighting if you want to get an idea of maximum SPL or how loud it is at any given time.

The Radio Shack meters are known to be inaccurate by 2-3 dB at frequencies below 125 Hz but that is not a problem for calibrating the system. It would be an issue if you wanted to plot the frequency response of the entire system and you can find correction charts on the web.

I have a different opinion of analog vs digital (I have the digital). I think the digital is far easier to read and it has more features to boot. If the numbers are jumping around wildly then there is too much ambient noise in the room and the numbers are suspect anyway. To me it is far easier to read a 1" high LCD number rather than look at a tiny needle and quickly calculate the true number by adding the offset shown by the needle.

 

[Dolby CP-200]

MDS

You mean in terms of eyesight don’t you, well I have the analogue type very close to be when testing and even at 6 feet away I can still see the needle.


Also it's important to note dbA or 85dbA you really don’t what to subject yourself to peaks over 85dbA while dbC will be a different matter. There was as recording studio that used a digital type that was fitted to the walls where bands can play live and if the db level should exceed 85dbA the warning light will come ON! Alerting them its unsafe!