SPL Test using RadioShack SPL meter!

hamzahsh
hamzahsh Posts: 439
edited November 2004 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
I've recently calibrated all my speakers and subwoofer using RadioShack Digital SPL meter. I also used the tripod at the listening position and set the meter to ear level height on the 45 degree angle.

For the test, I used Terminator 3 DVD.

I left the dial at 100db settting on my RS SPL meter. In T3 the nuclear explosion in the chapter one was very loud. I set the Master Volume at -10db below Reference Level and I measured 105db SPL! peak :eek: at my listening position. This is the highest reading so far in my HT theater. I don't listen that loud personally. My favourite is -25 to -30db REF which gets me around 85-90db SPL peaks.

SAFE listening is the BEST listening!

:)
Panasonic TH-50PX80U Plasma HDTV
Polk Audio RT800i (fronts)
Polk Audio CS400i (center)
Polk Audio F/X1000 (side surrounds)
Polk Audio RTi6 (back surrrounds)
Velodyne CHT-15 (subwoofer)
Yamaha RX-V1400 (Pre/Pro)
NAD C272 (2-ch Amp)
Adcom GFA-7605 (5-ch Amp)
Toshiba SD-3109 (DVD/CD player)
Malata DVP-580 (Multi-region DVD player)
Post edited by hamzahsh on
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Comments

  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,741
    edited October 2004
    Hmmm...

    105DB...

    I've heard louder :D (Klipsch Chorus II mains, 102db 1watt/1meter - lets just say, they had 275 watts going to them and they were maxed out ;))

    Its fun aint it? lol
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • hamzahsh
    hamzahsh Posts: 439
    edited October 2004
    Well I sit 9 feet away from my speakers.:D
    Panasonic TH-50PX80U Plasma HDTV
    Polk Audio RT800i (fronts)
    Polk Audio CS400i (center)
    Polk Audio F/X1000 (side surrounds)
    Polk Audio RTi6 (back surrrounds)
    Velodyne CHT-15 (subwoofer)
    Yamaha RX-V1400 (Pre/Pro)
    NAD C272 (2-ch Amp)
    Adcom GFA-7605 (5-ch Amp)
    Toshiba SD-3109 (DVD/CD player)
    Malata DVP-580 (Multi-region DVD player)
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,741
    edited October 2004
    I listen around 92-94db - A-Weighted

    and around 98-105db peak C-Weighted

    That is, when I wish to jam out!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • Steve0220
    Steve0220 Posts: 3
    edited November 2004
    Would that Radioshack meter work with a car test also you think? I tested my S-10 a couple weeks ago and they said i was hitting 120, but i dont think thats right.
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  • PolkThug
    PolkThug Posts: 7,532
    edited November 2004
    Originally posted by Steve0220
    Would that Radioshack meter work with a car test also you think? I tested my S-10 a couple weeks ago and they said i was hitting 120, but i dont think thats right.

    Yes!
    Never Forget
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  • newsman
    newsman Posts: 203
    edited November 2004
    When you calibrate speaker - do you point Radioshak at each speaker when it produces noise - or do you point it one direction for all 5 speakers?
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  • hamzahsh
    hamzahsh Posts: 439
    edited November 2004
    The best way to calibrate your speakers using the Radioshack SPL meter is to use with tripod and set it at ear-level height in the omni-directional path at about 45 degrees angle at your favourite listening position. Once you set the dial don't touch the meter and tripod.

    That's what I did! and got perfect reading!

    ;)
    Panasonic TH-50PX80U Plasma HDTV
    Polk Audio RT800i (fronts)
    Polk Audio CS400i (center)
    Polk Audio F/X1000 (side surrounds)
    Polk Audio RTi6 (back surrrounds)
    Velodyne CHT-15 (subwoofer)
    Yamaha RX-V1400 (Pre/Pro)
    NAD C272 (2-ch Amp)
    Adcom GFA-7605 (5-ch Amp)
    Toshiba SD-3109 (DVD/CD player)
    Malata DVP-580 (Multi-region DVD player)
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited November 2004
    newsman,

    You can do a search here or in the Speaker section on the word calibration and get alot of good advice on how to calibrate. It absolutely needs to be done for your HT.

    These guys in this thread are not really calibrating but just having some fun taking some measurements so do not get confused. You do not need a tripod although you could use one.

    Do the search and read the threads they are rather long and detailed, if you have questions feel free to ask, you might want to purchase a calibration disc like Avia or another one.

    RT1
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