what is a good SPL meter?

[Inertia]

I want to buy an SPL meter to test some different subs... Where can I get a decent one for this purpose? How does one go about testing the SPL levels as well? I have a bass mekanik cd that does 10hz to 100hz in 5 second intervals. Will that work?

 

[MDS]

Radio Shack SPL meters are what most people use, but there are other brands that are available. You can use it to level channels for HT use and you can also use it to measure max SPL.

 

[its phillip]

Sound Level Meter - Aperion Audio

 

[Adam]

I don't if it's true for all SPL meters, but I believe that my Radio Shack analog SPL meter requires that a correction factor be applied as a function of frequency in order to get the correct measurements (there is more correction applied at lower frequencies, due to the capability of the built-in mic, I believe).

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I think this one is decent:

Sinometer JTS1357 Digital Sound Level Meter: Amazon.com: Home Improvement

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Dayton Mic is really precise and ok even for pro work:
Going on sale now
Dayton Audio EMM-6 Electret Measurement Microphone Allows For Accurate Acoustic Measurements At A Fraction Of The Price 390-801
You would need usb interface with balanced input with phantom power like this one:
Alesis iO2 Express USB Audio Interface IO2 EXPRESS B&H Photo

 

[Josuah]

I don't if it's true for all SPL meters, but I believe that my Radio Shack analog SPL meter requires that a correction factor be applied as a function of frequency in order to get the correct measurements (there is more correction applied at lower frequencies, due to the capability of the built-in mic, I believe).

That's correct, and as a rough measurement it will work fine. If you want something more detailed, grab a microphone (purchase with calibration measurements) and use some software like Room EQ Wizard. That's what I use to set my crossover frequencies, and subwoofer setup.

 

[Inertia]

Could someone point me in the direction of a decent one at radio shack?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

That's correct, and as a rough measurement it will work fine. If you want something more detailed, grab a microphone (purchase with calibration measurements) and use some software like Room EQ Wizard. That's what I use to set my crossover frequencies, and subwoofer setup.

p.s: Dayton provides free calibration data for their emm-6 mics:
Dayton Audio EMM-6 Electret Measurement Microphone - Test & Measurement

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Could someone point me in the direction of a decent one at radio shack?

I my experience (my 1st SPL was a Radio Shack analog), the digital meters are much easier to read.

Most of the SPL meters under $100 MSRP are more limited on the bandwidth like from 125Hz-8kHz, and accuracy is +/-2dB, increments 0.5dB.

The Sinometer on Amazon retail @ $200, price @ $88. Bandwidth is 31.5Hz-8.5kHz, accuracy is +/-1.5dB, increments 0.1dB.

Sinometer JTS1357 Digital Sound Level Meter: Amazon.com: Home Improvement

I think it's worth the extra $30. The one I bought from Radio Shack was $60+ tax. I threw it in the trash can.

 

[its phillip]

The Aperion meter should be the same as the RS meter...and it's only $29

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

The Aperion meter should be the same as the RS meter...and it's only $29

It's probably good enough for most apps.

But like the Radio Shack SPL, it doesn't say how accurate, frequency bandwidth, meets the IEC 651 Type II standard certification, etc.

If you have to go under $30, then this one is $23 delivered.

HDE USB Digital Sound Level Meter: Amazon.com: Home Improvement