I got an SPL meter
afterburnt
Posts: 7,892
in Speakers
Comments
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@afterburnt ,
The obvious answer is: Use it to determine the decibels at which you are listening to music. I use mine to persuade [i.e., to try to persuade] my wife that I am not listening at levels that will damage my hearing. However, that is a trivial use, and I am sure others can guide you into more sophisticated and more valuable uses.
One thing I can tell you: DO NOT TRAVEL WITH IT WHEN YOU ARE FLYING. I carried mine with me when I went to West Palm Beach, FL, to audition some speakers (and for other reasons). I was fine boarding the plane in Manchester, NH, on the trip south, because I got the TSA prescreening that let me pass through relatively easily.
On the return, when I went through security at the West Palm airport, I was pulled aside, surrounded by TSA security agents, and not allowed to move till some supervisor somewhere determined what the device was and that it was harmless.
This all took almost an hour and almost made my wife and I miss our flight. I'm only telling you the half of it, but it was one of the most threatening and unpleasant experiences of my "travel life," and I have traveled all over the world.Family Room, Innuos Statement streamer (Roon Core) with Morrow Audio USB cable to McIntosh MC 2700 pre with DC2 Digital Audio Module; AQ Sky XLRs to CAT 600.2 dualmono amp, Morrow Elite Speaker Cables to NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers. Power source for all components: Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One with dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel.
Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One. -
What did they think it was? A Phaser?
SPL meters. Yes, check to see if you're taking your hearing out.
But I also use mine to tweak the HT. Check the levels from the seated position and so on. I also sometimes stick it near the cups of my headphones to make sure I haven't habituated to a volume that is TOO MUCH for my ears. That would be a consistent 85db+ level.
Another use? I bring it along to measure driver output on vintage speakers I might consider purchasing to make sure all the drivers are within range of each other and working properly/equally. I also use a tablet to do tone sweeps from 35hz to 16Khz+ (although I probably can't hear above 15Khz).
And some people, you know who you are, check MAX SPLs on SDAs, etc.Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!
Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
[sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash] -
^^^^^
I agree , use it also to set up your HT. from you center sitting spot all speakers should play at 75db with the same test tone.2 ch- Polk CRS+ * Vincent SA-31MK Preamp * Vincent Sp-331 Amp * Marantz SA8005 SACD * Project Xperience Classic TT * Sumiko Blue Point #2 MC cartridge
HT - Polk 703's * NAD T-758 * Adcom 5503 * Oppo 103 * Samsung 60" series 8 LCD -
What did they think it was? A Phaser?
They said that their sensors detected residue from a banned substance of some sort. They would not or could not explain what the substance was.
I offered to show them the device on the parts Express web site, but they wouldn't let me touch my computer, which was in the same carry-on bag as the SPL meter.
I offered to demonstrate the functions of the meter, and they refused to let me touch it. I think they thought I would detonate something.
When my wife took out her iPhone and started taking pictures of all the agents surrounding me, they got very nervous, as they did when -- in order not to miss my flight -- I offered to just leave my whole carry-on and its contents.
I asked whether I could simply return to the terminal and not fly at all, and they said I couldn't leave.
I then asked whether I was being detained against my will, and they didn't answer. I asked whether I could call my lawyer, and they said, "No."
It was a fine experience.
But, this is detracting from the gist of this thread.
@afterburnt, just take this as a fair warning!Family Room, Innuos Statement streamer (Roon Core) with Morrow Audio USB cable to McIntosh MC 2700 pre with DC2 Digital Audio Module; AQ Sky XLRs to CAT 600.2 dualmono amp, Morrow Elite Speaker Cables to NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers. Power source for all components: Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One with dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel.
Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One. -
Wow, that's wild.Pio Elete Pro 520
Panamax 5400-EX
Sunfire TGP 5
Micro Seiki DD-40 - Lyra-Dorian and Denon DL-160
PS Audio GCPH phono pre
Sunfire CG 200 X 5
Sunfire CG Sig 405 X 5
OPPO BDP-83 SE
SDA SRS 1.2TL Sonicaps and Mills
Ctr CS1000p
Sur - FX1000 x 4
SUB - SVS PB2-Plus
Workkout room:
Sony Bravia XBR- 32-Inch 1080p
Onkyo TX-DS898
GFA 555
Yamaha DVD-S1800BL/SACD
Ft - SDA 1C
Not being used:
RTi 38's -4
RT55i's - 2
RT25i's -2, using other 2 in shop
LSI 15's
CSi40
PSW 404 -
Moose68Bash wrote: »@afterburnt ,
The obvious answer is: Use it to determine the decibels at which you are listening to music. I use mine to persuade [i.e., to try to persuade] my wife that I am not listening at levels that will damage my hearing. However, that is a trivial use, and I am sure others can guide you into more sophisticated and more valuable uses.
One thing I can tell you: DO NOT TRAVEL WITH IT WHEN YOU ARE FLYING. I carried mine with me when I went to West Palm Beach, FL, to audition some speakers (and for other reasons). I was fine boarding the plane in Manchester, NH, on the trip south, because I got the TSA prescreening that let me pass through relatively easily.
On the return, when I went through security at the West Palm airport, I was pulled aside, surrounded by TSA security agents, and not allowed to move till some supervisor somewhere determined what the device was and that it was harmless.
This all took almost an hour and almost made my wife and I miss our flight. I'm only telling you the half of it, but it was one of the most threatening and unpleasant experiences of my "travel life," and I have traveled all over the world.
cavity search huh?
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Moose68Bash wrote: »What did they think it was? A Phaser?
They said that their sensors detected residue from a banned substance of some sort. They would not or could not explain what the substance was.
I offered to show them the device on the parts Express web site, but they wouldn't let me touch my computer, which was in the same carry-on bag as the SPL meter.
I offered to demonstrate the functions of the meter, and they refused to let me touch it. I think they thought I would detonate something.
When my wife took out her iPhone and started taking pictures of all the agents surrounding me, they got very nervous, as they did when -- in order not to miss my flight -- I offered to just leave my whole carry-on and its contents.
I asked whether I could simply return to the terminal and not fly at all, and they said I couldn't leave.
I then asked whether I was being detained against my will, and they didn't answer. I asked whether I could call my lawyer, and they said, "No."
It was a fine experience.
But, this is detracting from the gist of this thread.
@afterburnt, just take this as a fair warning!
oh and thanks but I am not going anywhere anytime soon. I spent all of my money on gear.
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Family Room, Innuos Statement streamer (Roon Core) with Morrow Audio USB cable to McIntosh MC 2700 pre with DC2 Digital Audio Module; AQ Sky XLRs to CAT 600.2 dualmono amp, Morrow Elite Speaker Cables to NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers. Power source for all components: Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One with dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel.
Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One. -
Oh, @afterburnt, I don't know which SPL meter you bought, but -- speaking of cavity searches -- I was tempted to tell the TSA agents mine was a rectal thermometer for elephants! It sure looks like it could be one!
Family Room, Innuos Statement streamer (Roon Core) with Morrow Audio USB cable to McIntosh MC 2700 pre with DC2 Digital Audio Module; AQ Sky XLRs to CAT 600.2 dualmono amp, Morrow Elite Speaker Cables to NOLA Baby Grand Reference Gold 3 speakers. Power source for all components: Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One with dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel.
Exercise Room, Innuos Streamer via Cat 6 cable connection to PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC w/Bridge II, AQ King Cobra RCAs to Perreaux PMF3150 amp (fully restored and upgraded by Jeffrey Jackson, Precision Audio Labs), Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables to SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers and other mods.), Dreadnaught with Supra Rondo 4x2.5 interconnect cables by Vr3 Mods. Power for each component from dedicated 20 amp circuit to main panel, except Innuos Statement powered from Silver Circle Audio Pure Power One. -
@Moose68Bash I did find out I listen too loud sometimes lol. I do like sitting home and listening, I am on the road at work all day most everyday. 10 days on and 4 off. I am getting too old for this junk!
