Radio Shack Digital sound meter...

I have the analog one and my friend got me the digital one. is this Digital one as accurate? Does anyone use this model? Thanks for reading..........

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Play it LoUd!!

Yes! I have one, and it works fine for me. I can't tell you that it works any better, or worse then the analog meter, but I have had no problems with it.

I don't think accurate is as important as consistant...

the goal is to get your speakers to all play at the same level and as close as possible to the recomended db level while calibrating... so as long as the readings are the same for all your speakers it shouldn't matter if the spl number is coming from a needle or an lcd

In my experience the analog is a bit easier to use when the signal is varying a bit, as the test signals often do. Either should be plenty good, so I would go with the analog - it's less money.

From what I have heard the digital one uses batteries faster. That is something I can't confirm....but the analog one I have has had the same battery for a long time! Just a thought.

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m-mmeyer
GO TWINS
My DVD's

A number of people whose opinion I greatly respect have told me that the digital one is less accurate. However, also keep in mind that the analog meter tends to lose accuracy as you move away from the center (+0dB), which makes it difficult to measure the standard 75dB test tone as accurately.

The Lexicon MC-12 that I own allows you to compensate for this by letting you increase the volume of the test tone to 80dB, which allows you to use the meter in its most accurate range.

Jeff

Wouldn't setting the overal gain (volume knob) to +5 during the calibration cycle accomplish the same thing?

An analog meter is generally better for monitoring events that change rapidly over time. They are easier to "eyeball average" This same RadioShack analog meter is used on dubbing stages daily to check the calibration of the speakers. It's good enough for them....

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The Soundhound Theater

Yes, as long as the tone is boosted accordingly. The key thing is to make sure that what the receiver/pre-amp "thinks" is 75dB equates to what your ears are hearing at 75dB. The MC-12 makes this adjustment internally, and if your component does so as well, you should be fine.

Jeff

For those of you interested, Radio Shack has their analog SPL meter on SALE for the month of March for $24.95, if I'm remembering right.

At that price, it might be worth picking up a spare as well.

Jeff

If you want to improve the performance and accuracy of your Rat Shack meter you might be interested id the following mod's. They will allow the meter to read flat down to 20hz.

This information comes directly from the Sunfire TrueSub MkII Owners Manual. No I have not tried it...yet.

"C1, C2, C3, C4: stock is 1uF Electrolytic.
Change to 10uF Electrolytic at 16v minimum

C7: stock is 10uF Electrolytic.
Change to 100uF Electrolytic at 16v minimum

C9: stock is 22uF Electrolytic.
Change to 100uF Electrolytic at 16v minimum

All other capacitors are left at stock values.Take great care to install the new capacitors withthe same polarity as those being replaced."


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My HT v3.1

I was just at the Radio Shack website. The sale price is $29.95. It's also out of stock online so you have to see if your local store has it in stock. Mine does so this afternoon it's off to radio shack for me!!

If you do this mod, do not touch the small adjustment control that is accessable through the small hole on the side of the meter! This is the calibration control, and if it is moved, I your meter will need to be re-calibrated: this is something that will require the meter to be sent back to the factory. On the other hand, since the meter is so inexpensive, it might be cheaper to buy another one if the calibration is messed up. At any rate, be extremely careful......



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The Soundhound Theater

Frank,

Is the mod for the analog or digital version? Or is it applicable to both?

Thanks for the tip.

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Tekdredger

Mod instructions here:

http://www.gti.net/wallin/audio/audio.html

Dundas,

Thanks for posting the link. Good info that explains a few things. I found the schematic for my analog SPL meter since my last post and it appears that the mod Frank suggested applies to it (all original part values match).

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Tekdredger

I did the LF mod to mine about 6 months ago. Works fine.

Mod instructions here:
http://www.gti.net/wallin/audio/audio.html

Not quite the same mod as posted above?
(LF only)

C1, C2 from 1uF to 10uF
C3, C4 from 1uF to 47uF
C7 from 10uF to 220uF
C9 from 22uF to 220uF