SPL Meter Question

[mtrycrafts]

The local area (Minnesota) guru of setting up home theaters was away at CES but came back and caught up on our local area HT forum. He responded to my question about meters with this:

"The $40 RS spl meter is a bargain. The digital one is harder to read, because the display bounces around a bit, so the analog meter is easier. You kind of average the pointer readings by eye. There have been rumors of it going away before, and they always keep it in the line. You can do a very credible job with this meter and Avia. Highly recommended. Note that this meter needs to be corrected for low frequency use. The corection tables have been posted on-line."

As you can see, he has a different perspective on reading the meter. I would like to get more information on correcting the meter. Wouldn't the tables only apply if you are reading the information into a computer or something where you would be creating charts?

I am just reading this.

The reason I like the analog for level matching over the Digital is the fact that the digital can be off a whole dB as it only reads in whole numbers.
The analog can be read much closer. Using pink noise keeps the needle pretty steady, not much to interpolate from moving needle and you can match the other channels to where the reference channel was.

Same applies when measuring frequency response with sine waves. The needle is steady.

The digital is great when checking overall sound levels. I have both. My boomboxes are demanding

 

[Sonnie Parker]

There are definitely differences between the accuracy of the digital and analog meters... we have proven this already.

There are also significant differences from one analog meter to the next. See this thread through to the end and you'll see the varying differences tested.

The only way to make sure you have the "correct" correction values is to test your meter against a professionally calibrated mic.

 

[Fierce Mice]

...digital can be off a whole dB as it only reads in whole numbers.

Actually, although the range in dB that the digital meter reads for each 1dB increment is one, the error should be 0.5 or less. A reading of 71.50 through 72.49, would read as 72.

If you are used to "eyeballing" analog guages, then get an analog, but if analog guages are new to you, the digital is just as accurate and removes the judgement call that only comes from experience.

 

[rolski]

The reason that one type of display seems to be more preferable over the other is "rate of change".
It's very easy for the brain to interpret the movement of an analogue needle - and the rate at which it's swinging back and forth at varying speeds - compared to interpreting changing numbers. The numbers have to be "translated" into useful information by the brain and then the underlying trends & rates calculated - this takes a lot longer to think about than just visually interpreting simple movement.
This is why most aircraft cockpits, even with the latest digital technology, have (digital) representations of the most critical data as analogue displays. But we're not flying 'planes, we're playing with our AV kit, so it's really down to personal preference at the end of the day....

 

[mike c]

im getting tired to wait for radioshack online to get the analog spl meters back in stock long enough for me to order one ...

you think these are good enough? (looking at NADY analog meter)http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=br_ss_hs/002-6830839-7468863?platform=gurupa&url=index=blended&keywords=sound+level+meter

but does this mean the radioshack correction values will not apply to this one?
or should I just get the digital radio shack meter? (but the correction values probably wont apply also)

 

[bruin62]

Spl Meter

does anyone know where you can get one in canda? radio shack does not carry it since they got sold out to the source. the only one I can find is 500 bucks.

 

[mike c]

maybe svsound.com can ship it to you.

 

[brian32672]

the only one I can find is 500 bucks.

500 bucks, that's insane for that meter.
Heck, I will sell you mine for 50. and 3.00 shipping to Canada. (digital version)

 

[alan monro]

analog is cheaper . I have one and find it easy to use. why pay more?

 

[alan monro]

try radio shack . they sell them