db Meter

zane77
zane77 Posts: 1,696
edited September 2013 in The Clubhouse
There is an app for an ipad that is a db meter, has anybody ever compared this to one of the radio shack meter or what kind of weighting this app applies?
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited September 2013
    Coincidentlly, I downloaded an app this weekend called Decibal 10th. There are a lot of SPL meter apps in the store, and some are expensive. This particular app is free, and has good ratings. I downloaded it on both the iPad Retna, and iPhone 5. The iPhone version ran about 5 db higher than the iPad, measured by the max and peak values. Bumping up the iPad by 5 seems to equalize the two. I thought the iPad might be affected by the cover, but it reads the same in and out of the cover.


    Before adjusting the iPad version I compared both to the Radio Shack digital SPL meter. It was hard to compare the two since the sound levels bounce around so much, but I felt the unmodifed iPad version was closer to the Radio Shack. However, I liked the visuals of the iPhone so I tweaked the iPad to mimic the iPhone. To be honest, I have no idea as to the accuracy of any of these meters, but it does give you a frame of reference.
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  • Moose68Bash
    Moose68Bash Posts: 3,843
    edited September 2013
    I just ordered an SPL meter from Parts Express over the weekend, and I can't wait "to play" with it.

    I want to confirm that the listening level I like is not damaging to my ears -- seriously! :rolleyes:
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited September 2013
    If I remember when I get home, I'll compare my iPhone app meter with my Radioshack analog meter.
    Jake
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  • jeremymarcinko
    jeremymarcinko Posts: 3,785
    edited September 2013
    I have one my Galaxy S3. It stays pretty consistent at the most. After running Audyssey all of the speakers measure 80db's with the app, I am pretty sure they are supposed to be 75db's so its off about 5 decibels. Good for reference but not for accuracy.
    Oh, Listen here mister. We got no way of understandin' this world. But we got as much sense of this bird flyin in the sky. Now there is a lot that bird don't know, but it don't change the fact that the world is happening to him all the same. What I am tryin to say is, is that the course of your life, well its changing, and you don't even see it- Forest Bondurant
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  • agfrost
    agfrost Posts: 2,428
    edited September 2013
    I recently downloaded an app; don't have a lot of faith that it's accurate.

    If I were serious about knowing my listening levels, I'd buy an actual meter along the lines of the RS meter so many have.
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited September 2013
    agfrost wrote: »
    I recently downloaded an app; don't have a lot of faith that it's accurate.

    If I were serious about knowing my listening levels, I'd buy an actual meter along the lines of the RS meter so many have.

    I have both, Radio Shack and the app. There is no way to know which one is "accurate". You can adjust the app to give the same reading as the RS meter, but who knows if the RS is accurate. The key is it needs to be consistent. Then it is useful whether the number displayed is correct or not.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
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    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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