Ghostkid Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Okay, I know your supposed to calibrate your HT system to get the most out of it. I just have a few questions on SPL meters. 1. Digital vs. analog? 2. Any brands or sites to find one besied RAT SHACK? 3. Any advice and tips from what you've learned from yours? Reason I'm asking is that I brought home some Klipsh's and a new Digital receiver and my wife didn't think the Klipsch's sounded better than the old ones, but she liked the new receiver, she didn't like the money I spent to be honest, but I wnat to blow her away this next time. I've just got a receiver, and I'm dying to get some Klipsch's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrMcGoo Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Rat Shack is the only reasonably priced SPL meter that I am aware of. They have more than 99% of the home market. Neither Rat Shack meter is better. Buy whatever is least expensive at RS. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnyholiday Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 it's free an makes cool graphs i love graphs maybe it will work for whatever your up too http://nch.com.au/wavepad/index.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrWho Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 I would go with the analog because you can more easily track what you're hearing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shade Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 I'd suggest the rat shack analog meter as well. Heck, I've seen several equipment manuacturers reccomend it. Don't really have any tips for the initial setup, not much to it. If you move anything around in the room afterwards though, recalibrate your equipment. I found it suprising how much affect room furnishings can have on this. Moved some cd racks & an end table, found everything was off a DB or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostkid Posted January 31, 2005 Author Share Posted January 31, 2005 Rat Shack it is. Worst thing I can do is try it out and take it back if I don't like it. Thanks guys! I'll have to remember that If I move things around to recalibrate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcoker Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Do they (RS) still make the analog version. Last time I looked they were only stocking the digital version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popbumper Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 No doubt IF they are still making the analog version, it's hard to locate. I picked up the digital version, works just fine. Popbumper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ct1615 Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 I bought the radio shack analog model and it was useless. I just trusted my personal taste and returned the unit. I didn't feel like spending $50 for the digital sound level meter. Doesn't Pioneer have receivers now that come with sound meters? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelA Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 ---------------- On 1/31/2005 10:15:19 AM ct1615 wrote: I bought the radio shack analog model and it was useless. I just trusted my personal taste and returned the unit. I didn't feel like spending $50 for the digital sound level meter. Doesn't Pioneer have receivers now that come with sound meters? ---------------- I was wondering the same thing. Do the auto calibrating receivers do a good enough job to where you don't have to buy a after market SPL? Has anyone tried the receiver settings against the RS SPL meter? What was results? Just curious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Harman Kardon has E-Z Set auto calibration. Some people think it works great but I got much better results with a meter and calibration disc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shade Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 ct1615 wrote : I bought the radio shack analog model and it was useless --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please define useless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colterphoto1 Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 analog version was 'closed out' a few months ago. If you can find one, it'll be on sale! Otherwise, just get the digital version. THere is a low frequency adjustment chart available on the internet for frequencies below about 100Hz, I beleive. You may find a link to it here. Otherwise, try the SEARCH function. Michael Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
popbumper Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 CECAA850 stated: "Harman Kardon has E-Z Set auto calibration. Some people think it works great but I got much better results with a meter and calibration disc". THANK YOU, I have an H/K AVR430, and I could not agree more. With EZ Set it was "hit and miss", with the RS digital meter it was consistent and balanced every time. Popbumper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ct1615 Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Definition of useless; I set the sound meter up as stated in the instruction booklet(at my listening position). A ran a loud test signal through each speaker but the needle barely moved. I tried it on every setting, the needle only moved on one setting. I finally just tossed the instructions, and walked up to each speaker and stuck the meter in front of it. At the end of the test, the speakers where already at the right setting. Maybe I just have good ears! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostkid Posted January 31, 2005 Author Share Posted January 31, 2005 WOW, lots of information, I went to Rat Shack at work today and they were out. I asked him some questions and he says that you have to sometimes point the RS meter at the speakers to get a good reading from each one. Anyone else hear of this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcoker Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 I think the Denon's comes with a SPL in the Remote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrWho Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 ---------------- On 1/31/2005 4:56:18 PM ct1615 wrote: Definition of useless; I set the sound meter up as stated in the instruction booklet(at my listening position). A ran a loud test signal through each speaker but the needle barely moved. I tried it on every setting, the needle only moved on one setting. I finally just tossed the instructions, and walked up to each speaker and stuck the meter in front of it. At the end of the test, the speakers where already at the right setting. Maybe I just have good ears! ---------------- The needle is only supposed to move on one setting! The different settings set the meter so that when the needle is pointing straight up the SPL corresponds to the number of the setting. So if you're listening to a tone at 90dB, you'll have to have the meter at 90 on the dial and the needle should stick straight up. When the needle moves to the right or left, you need to read the marking behind the needle and then add or subtract that number from the number of your setting. So if you're listening at a 95dB tone, on the 90dB setting, then your needle will be 5dB to the right. If you have it on the 100dB setting, then your needle will be 5dB to the left. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ct1615 Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 Yes I know, it stated all that in the instruction maual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scp53 Posted January 31, 2005 Share Posted January 31, 2005 i found the analog one at rat shack http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=33-4050 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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