What to look for in an SPL meter?

[Tyreman]

Ramsey Electronics has the old style radio shack under the CE banner
looks the same only yellow coloring similar specs I believe
Just got mine to Canada off ebay and very reasonable and no extra taxes as below threshold of tally

 

[Hostility]

ive been looking to pick one up also. Anyone think this one looks decent? it also has mini usb so not sure if this could hook into pc for bar graphs or be used with REW?
Digital Sound Noise Level Meter Tester Decibel Pressure | eBay

 

[LAB3]

ive been looking to pick one up also. Anyone think this one looks decent? it also has mini usb so not sure if this could hook into pc for bar graphs or be used with REW?
Digital Sound Noise Level Meter Tester Decibel Pressure | eBay

Glad you posted that question as I wondered that too. My old Rat Shack meter does not have the usb hook up. I want to learn how to make a graph.

 

[MR.MAGOO]

I did a search on Amazon for SPL Meter, got a lot of items called Sound Level meters, are they similar in function to an SPL meter?

 

[lovinthehd]

I did a search on Amazon for SPL Meter, got a lot of items called Sound Level meters, are they similar in function to an SPL meter?

Yes. SPL=Sound pressure level. These days I'd get something more useful like a measurement mic (Umik-1 or Daytom Umm-6 etc) along with REW software.

 

[ahblaza]

I did a search on Amazon for SPL Meter, got a lot of items called Sound Level meters, are they similar in function to an SPL meter?

Yes they are one and the same, I prefer an analog meter if you can find them but any decent SPL meter will do the job if you're measuring speaker or sub output levels.

 

[Dan Madden]

Use the android app called 'Sound meter' for basic pink noise test tone calibration of speakers. Works great! As for subwoofer level settings, I strongly recommend doing this by ear while listening to music. Preferably something simple like jazz. While listening, the sub should compliment the soundscape......not dominate it. EQ'ing the sub is highly advisable if you can do it to control booming spikes caused by the room. If the sub sounds right with music, it will sound right with movies as well.

 

[MR.MAGOO]

What is EQ' ing?

 

[lovinthehd]

What is EQ' ing?

Equalizing; applying an equalizer

 

[Dan Madden]

What is EQ' ing?

It basically means applying some sort of equalization to the sub. Most subs operate between 15-200hz. In most rooms, there will be a spike(s) in the sub's frequency response due to the room's effect on the sub's sonic performance. These have been affectionately called 'standing waves'. In most cases, it's somewhere between 40-80 hz or so. If you can EQ the sub and lower those frequency spikes, you can dramatically improve the sound of the sub's bass performance.