SPL meter

[mike c]

I usually use a radioshack SPL meter to level match my systems (only use the auto calibration for distance)

my spl meter's dial is pretty lose, and i'll have to buy another one soon.

what's a good and affordable SPL meter (available online, hopefully amazon) that's preferably less than 30usd. but can update the budget depending on the product.

 

[lovinthehd]

Why not use a calibrated USB mic with REW? Far more capable and accurate than a simple ratshack spl meter for about $75-80.

 

[mike c]

i need something portable, as i have to do multiple systems

 

[fuzz092888]

Are you just looking for the ability to make sure everything is the same level or do you want accuracy? Just about any SPL meter should be able to get you the ability to level match everything, but for reliability and accuracy I'm not sure the Galaxy meters can be beat.

Amazon.com: Galaxy CM130 Sound Level Meter - GAA CM130 - (New): Musical Instruments

It's a doubling of budget, but well worth it IMO. I bought a 140 used and it's been nothing but excellent.

 

[Adam]

Are you just looking for the ability to make sure everything is the same level or do you want accuracy? Just about any SPL meter should be able to get you the ability to level match everything...

The one aspect that might throw that off is if the accuracy of a meter varies over frequency. Low frequency is what comes to my mind, which could throw off level matching between speakers and subs.

However, I like where your head's at (yes, I know... ). Perhaps an SPL app for a phone might be good enough.

Amazon.com: Galaxy CM130 Sound Level Meter - GAA CM130 - (New): Musical Instruments

It's a doubling of budget, but well worth it IMO. I bought a 140 used and it's been nothing but excellent.

Fuzz, have you used a 130? Just curious if you know how well it compares to your 140.

 

[fuzz092888]

The one aspect that might throw that off is if the accuracy of a meter varies over frequency. Low frequency is what comes to my mind, which could throw off level matching between speakers and subs.

However, I like where your head's at (yes, I know... ). Perhaps an SPL app for a phone might be good enough.

Very true, I always forget about that. With budget meters they usually tail off at the highest and lowest frequencies, but pink noise tones should help keep things in check somewhat.

Fuzz, have you used a 130? Just curious if you know how well it compares to your 140.

I have not, I'm only going off of the specs, the fact that they both meet IEC standard, a few user reviews, and a radioshack salesman that told me so. Reading that back, it sounds cheeky but I don't mean it to be

 

[mike c]

ordered! thanks! so can i assume this is better (more accurate across more frequencies) than the radioshack SPL meter?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Live Sound: Everything You Wanted To Know About Sound Level Meters (SLMs) - Pro Sound Web

 

[fuzz092888]

ordered! thanks! so can i assume this is better (more accurate across more frequencies) than the radioshack SPL meter?

IIRC the radio shack SPL meter rolled off at the highest and lowest frequencies. The galaxy meter should be much flatter out of the box, so yes it should be.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Are you just looking for the ability to make sure everything is the same level or do you want accuracy? Just about any SPL meter should be able to get you the ability to level match everything, but for reliability and accuracy I'm not sure the Galaxy meters can be beat.

Amazon.com: Galaxy CM130 Sound Level Meter - GAA CM130 - (New): Musical Instruments

It's a doubling of budget, but well worth it IMO. I bought a 140 used and it's been nothing but excellent.

That is the exact same one I've used for years. I would not buy anything cheaper.

I threw my Radio Shack SPL in the trash when I got my Galaxy digital SPL.

 

[Speedskater]

I see a lot of confusion here between an 'SPL' meter and a calibration mic. A 'SPL' meter measures volume and is used to measure reference 'SPL' and to adjust the level of individual speakers in a multi-channel system. A calibration mic is used to measure frequency response. Many cal mics have no easy path to reference 'SPL'.

 

[fuzz092888]

I see a lot of confusion here between an 'SPL' meter and a calibration mic. A 'SPL' meter measures volume and is used to measure reference 'SPL' and to adjust the level of individual speakers in a multi-channel system. A calibration mic is used to measure frequency response. Many cal mics have no easy path to reference 'SPL'.

I think "a lot" is a bit of a stretch. I believe only one post dealt with SPL meter vs calibration mics.

 

[mike c]

what settings does this need to be in for receiver level matching?

i.e. C weighting, slow, etc. <- this is what i use for the radioshack spl meter, i don't understand why, but i just followed as per instruction

 

[fuzz092888]

what settings does this need to be in for receiver level matching?

i.e. C weighting, slow, etc. <- this is what i use for the radioshack spl meter, i don't understand why, but i just followed as per instruction

Fast delivers the unsmoothed readings that the meter is picking up and is better for getting a peak reading, but can be difficult to use if you are trying to level match or if there is a lot of ambient noise that you are trying to measure. Slow delivers a slightly smoothed reading to make it easier to read, like smoothing a frequency reading. For level matching speakers, either can really be used, but subs should be set to C, otherwise they'll blow you out of the room. The other thing is that for multi-sub setups, both subs much be set lower than 75 or whatever level you are setting the speakers to so that they sum to the level of the speakers.