How important is..

glemay
glemay Posts: 574
edited December 2003 in Electronics
Just how important is an SPL meter? Can I get away without one and just set everything with my ears?
Main System:
Denon AVR-2805, Polk Audio RTi70's, Polk Audio CSi40, Polk Audio FXi50, Paradigm PW-2200 v.2, Toshiba 42XV545U HDTV

Second System:
Denon AVR-1705, Polk Audio R40, Polk Audio CS245i, Polk Audio R15, Paradigm PS-1200a
Post edited by glemay on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • GuitarheadCA
    GuitarheadCA Posts: 400
    edited December 2003
    Of course you can, and I don't think it's a bad option at all, it's the way I've always done mine.

    That being said, SPL meters are like $35 at radiocrap, so it's usually a worthwhile purchase, as it can take the guesswork out of calibrating and speed up the process.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dave shepard
    dave shepard Posts: 1,334
    edited December 2003
    You should also look into getting the AVIA disc along with the SPL from RS. If you just use the tones on your reciever your not getting a true playback reading through your speakers for HT or CD's etc.. So I guess the answer would be, yes it is important for an, as true as poss. playback.

    Dave
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gatemplin
    gatemplin Posts: 1,595
    edited December 2003
    It depends on the speakers, the room and you. In my room , even after I calibrated I found that the surrounds were too quiet for my liking so I cranked em up two dBs. But YMMV.

    BTW Gerald, when I was at my Paradigm dealer this weak they had a new seismic sub. I didn't have time to listen to it but it looked great. It had the two PR's and a downfiring woofer. I think the amp was 1250W. Are you still saving up for the 2200?

    Graham
    Graham
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • glemay
    glemay Posts: 574
    edited December 2003
    The Spl Meter at Radioshack here in Canada is $89.99 CDN, a little ridiculous if you ask me:rolleyes: . I will probably get one eventually along with Avia or DVE but no rush.
    Main System:
    Denon AVR-2805, Polk Audio RTi70's, Polk Audio CSi40, Polk Audio FXi50, Paradigm PW-2200 v.2, Toshiba 42XV545U HDTV

    Second System:
    Denon AVR-1705, Polk Audio R40, Polk Audio CS245i, Polk Audio R15, Paradigm PS-1200a
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • DarqueKnight
    DarqueKnight Posts: 6,765
    edited December 2003
    An SPL meter is especially good to have if you have subwoofers that can play cleanly below 30 Hz. The reason for that is the ear is increasingly insensitive to sound waves below 30 Hz.

    Although a very low frequency soundwave may not "sound" very loud to the ear, it can still cause hearing damage because a low frequency wave at high volume will move lots of air and will put a lot of pressure against your ear drum.
    Proud and loyal citizen of the Digital Domain and Solid State Country!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited December 2003
    I picked up a digital SPL and have really found it useful in establishing baselines. I feel a little more confident in its use, than with my less than perfect ears.

    I also have found out how loud my toilet is when it flushes, 76db under full load. :)
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • glemay
    glemay Posts: 574
    edited December 2003
    dorokusai,

    I can see you have some time on your hands, perhaps to much time.:D The funny thing is that I would probably be doing the same thing.:D
    Main System:
    Denon AVR-2805, Polk Audio RTi70's, Polk Audio CSi40, Polk Audio FXi50, Paradigm PW-2200 v.2, Toshiba 42XV545U HDTV

    Second System:
    Denon AVR-1705, Polk Audio R40, Polk Audio CS245i, Polk Audio R15, Paradigm PS-1200a
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited December 2003
    Glemay - Yep, actually I was even more pathetic than that, but that was the most amusing "test" that I had ;) It was interesting to know how loud things are in my house.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter