Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Radio Shak SPL meter
#186743 12/05/07 07:37 PM
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 738
aficionado
OP Offline
aficionado
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 738
I own one of these meters and have lost the instructions. Can any body tell me what the weigthing switch does / means (A and C)? I usually keep it a C, but I don't understand, isn't volume scale in dB. How can it change? And why isn't here a weighting B?

Thanks

Paul


paul

Axiom M80, VP180, Qs8, EP500
Epson 3020
Rotel RB-880
Denon AVR-990
Re: Radio Shak SPL meter
Worfzara #186749 12/05/07 08:05 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877
I just bought one of these today (the digital ones) and I was looking through the manual.

I don't remember the exact descriptions of the two, but it said that A was for 'natural environment frequencies' or something along those lines.

It said to use c for the calibration of PA's or stereo equipment.

Edit: here is a link to the manual

http://rsk.imageg.net/graphics/uc/rsk/Support/ProductManuals/3302055_PM_EN.pdf

Last edited by terzaghi; 12/05/07 08:07 PM.

-David
Re: Radio Shak SPL meter
Worfzara #186759 12/05/07 09:49 PM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,270
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,270
Hi Worfzara,

Always use the "C" weighting scale for all measurements of reproduced music levels at home, live music SPL measurements and outdoor measurements of any kind of industrial sound levels or live concerts. The "C" weighting takes into account bass frequencies, whereas the "A" weighting scale suppresses the importance of deep bass.

I can't recall if there is a "B" weighting or what it represents. I've never come across a reference to it in all my years writing about and reviewing audio components and loudspeakers.

Regards,

Alan


Alan Lofft,
Axiom Resident Expert (Retired)
Re: Radio Shak SPL meter
alan #186763 12/05/07 10:05 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877
According to the manual the A rating responds to
'mainly frequencies in the 500-to-10,000 Hz range only'

So I imagine it would not be very good to calibrate a stereo system!


-David
Re: Radio Shak SPL meter
terzaghi #186765 12/05/07 10:17 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,602
B
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
B
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,602
C-weighting takes in to consideration the "frequency response" of the human ear.

And no, Alan.. they don't include B-weighted, D-weighted or any of the ISO weightings/curves.

Bren R.

Re: Radio Shak SPL meter
BrenR #186816 12/06/07 02:56 PM
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 738
aficionado
OP Offline
aficionado
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 738
Thanks everyone for the info!


paul

Axiom M80, VP180, Qs8, EP500
Epson 3020
Rotel RB-880
Denon AVR-990
Re: Radio Shak SPL meter
Worfzara #186825 12/06/07 03:42 PM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,357
connoisseur
Offline
connoisseur
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,357
Radio Shack (Circuit City) here in Canada only sells one SPL meter and it is digital. I have talked to a home theater setup professional and he said that the digital meters are far less accurate than the analog meters, and he doesn't know where to find an analog one around here. I can find an analog one on the Internet easily, but it will be more expensive. If his advice is true, I will definitely go the analog route.

Has anyone else heard anything, or experienced the difference between the digital and analog SPL meters.

Thanks


The only reasonable argument for owning a gun is to protect yourself from the police.
Re: Radio Shak SPL meter
Ya_basta #186826 12/06/07 03:59 PM
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 738
aficionado
OP Offline
aficionado
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 738
The meter I have is my dad's, and he bought it in early 80's. It is analog. Thanks for posting this, cuz I was gonna give it back to him and buy a digital one. Maybe I will just keep it.

Paul


paul

Axiom M80, VP180, Qs8, EP500
Epson 3020
Rotel RB-880
Denon AVR-990
Re: Radio Shak SPL meter
Ya_basta #186835 12/06/07 04:55 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 18
R
frequent flier
Offline
frequent flier
R
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 18
 Originally Posted By: wheelz999
...doesn't know where to find an analog one around here. I can find an analog one on the Internet easily, but it will be more expensive. If his advice is true, I will definitely go the analog route.


I bought one like this (not this seller) on ebay last year, I think it was about $30 to get it to my doorstep. It looks very similar to the old RS analog meters, but I'm not sure if it's the same internally or just a knock off.

Anyways, it has worked well enough to let me calibrate my speakers to each other. The whole thing could be off 10db, but at least all the speakers match! Someday I'll bring it out to site and see how it matches up against the meter they use down in the OH&S department.

Re: Radio Shak SPL meter
rye_guy79 #186858 12/06/07 06:19 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458
shareholder in the making
Offline
shareholder in the making
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458
My understanding is that both are equal in terms of accuracy, but many prefer the analog meter for HT calibration.


::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Moderated by  alan, Amie, Andrew, axiomadmin, Brent, Debbie, Ian, Jc 

Link Copied to Clipboard

Need Help Graphic

Forum Statistics
Forums16
Topics24,940
Posts442,457
Members15,616
Most Online2,082
Jan 22nd, 2020
Top Posters
Ken.C 18,044
pmbuko 16,441
SirQuack 13,840
CV 12,077
MarkSJohnson 11,458
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 563 guests, and 1 robot.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newsletter Signup
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4