Alternative to discontinued RS SPL meter....

steveinaz
steveinaz Posts: 19,538
edited March 2012 in Subwoofer Hookup & Bass Management
Specs out slightly better than the RS meter. Freq range: 31.5Hz-8kHz ("C" weighting). I haven't found a meter that goes lower in freq at a reasonable cost. $69. This is a re-badged $179 Extech meter. As far as error factors for lower freq's, I don't know if RS SPL numbers would be compatible.

http://www.amazon.com/American-Recorder-Technologies-SPL-8810-Pressure/dp/B000I4ZVHU/ref=pd_cp_hi_1
Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
Post edited by steveinaz on
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  • codyc1ark
    codyc1ark Posts: 2,532
    edited March 2012
    Steve, if you haven't bought that yet, you may have not seen this...

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Radio-Shack-33-2050-Sound-Level-Meter-Analog-SPL-Sound-Pressure-Level-/251021407456?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a720ab4e0

    I guess what your saying is that your looking for a more accurate meter at lower freq's?
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited March 2012
    Thats why I use REW as they have a correction file for the RS Meter. The Beringer mic is suppose to be good and REW has a calibration file for it too.

    Just a thought.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited March 2012
    I was just looking for an alternative, thought I'd share. I took a look at REW, was little too complex for my pea brain. I already ordered the meter above.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • codyc1ark
    codyc1ark Posts: 2,532
    edited March 2012
    steveinaz wrote: »
    I took a look at REW, was little too complex for my pea brain.

    I'm with you on that!
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited March 2012
    Bought a couple analog RS meters when they had them on sale at radio shack for $13.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited March 2012
    I had one some years ago, but when I get rid of my first sub--I sold it to Cathy.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited March 2012
    steveinaz wrote: »
    I was just looking for an alternative, thought I'd share. I took a look at REW, was little too complex for my pea brain. I already ordered the meter above.
    codyc1ark wrote: »
    I'm with you on that!

    If I figured it out anyone can. Not sure how you are taking measurements but trust me, if you can invest 30 mins effort you will never look back.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited March 2012
    Does your laptop have to have a good soundcard and stuff like that? My laptop is about as basic as they get.

    I'm integrating a PB12-NSD (sledgehammer version) into a strictly 2-channel system via line level connections to the sub (using the sub crossover). So I was gonna do the traditional frequency sweeps to verify crossover freq and level. The mains are Harbeth 7ES-3's, which will be run full range.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • codyc1ark
    codyc1ark Posts: 2,532
    edited March 2012
    You have to have an external sound card device for most laptops and REW, I bought the soundblaster live 5.0 off the bay for something like 25/shipped. I fooled around with it for a few days, got frustrated, and bought a SMS-1.
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited March 2012
    steveinaz wrote: »
    Does your laptop have to have a good soundcard and stuff like that? My laptop is about as basic as they get.

    I'm integrating a PB12-NSD (sledgehammer version) into a strictly 2-channel system via line level connections to the sub (using the sub crossover). So I was gonna do the traditional frequency sweeps to verify crossover freq and level. The mains are Harbeth 7ES-3's, which will be run full range.

    Most laptops dont have true MIC in so you would need an external SC. If you are serious I will ship you mine and RS analog SPL.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited March 2012
    I appreciate the offer, seriously--but let me give the 'ol spl meter a try first and see if I get satisfactory results. I think my laptop does have a mic input, I'll have to check it tonight.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited March 2012
    If using the RS analog SPL you will need the correction table to do it accurately.

    http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?htech&983682086&openflup&1&4
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited March 2012
    steveinaz wrote: »
    I had one some years ago, but when I get rid of my first sub--I sold it to Cathy.

    And I still have it Steve!
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited March 2012
    Received the new meter, looks real nice--easy to use. Still don't know if lower freq compensation would be needed. Research on the net has turned up nada.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • michael1947
    michael1947 Posts: 775
    edited March 2012
    I have had that same SPL meter in my shopping basket at Amazon for a couple of weeks now and from what I have been able to find it is a good meter and a very good price, although I'm still looking around. I hope I can make a decision before they are all gone.
    Main Family Room: Sony 46 LCD, Sony Blue Ray, Sony DVD/VCR combo,Onkyo TXNR 708, Parasound 5250,
    Polk SDS-SRS with mods, CSI 5 center + Klipsch SC2, Polk RT2000P rears, Klipsch KG 1.5's sides, Polk Micro Pro 1000, Polk Micro Pro 2000, Polk SW505, Belkin PF60, Signal Cable Classics,Monster IC's, 2 15 amp circuits & 1 20 amp circuit.

    Living Room: Belkin PF60, Parasound HCA2200, MIT ProlineEXP balanced IC's,Emotiva XDA-1 DAC/Pre,Emotiva ERC2 transport,MIT AVT2, Polk LSI 9's.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited March 2012
    I'm not concerned if it's accuracy only applies to the specified range of 31.5Hz-8kHz, as I'm mostly interested in the measurements at the cross over point (50Hz for my setup). It's very nice quality and actually ships with a battery! It also has a threaded insert for use with a tripod.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited March 2012
    Steve, head over to hometheatershack.com and ask those guys about the meter and comp files.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited March 2012
    10-4 good buddy.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited March 2012
    They are a good group and know REW like the back of their hand. Have not been there in a few years but I bet it has not changed.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter