Best sound measurement tools according to redditors

It's mounted on the dash.

I wonder if its a "noise meter" to measure cabin noise

https://www.amazon.com/COLEMETER-Digital-30-130dB-Batteries-included/dp/B01M67N973/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1491914802&sr=8-4&keywords=noise+meter

Could also be any variety of sensors. It looks a little too thick to be a fastrak (CA version of EZ Pass)

Turn the volume down.

Since it sounds like you are already abusing your ears, get a db meter and keep it between 60 and 80db. You need to re-calibrate your brain.

Protip (literally): when doing a final mix, turn the volume down until it's just barely audible and then do a pass. If you pay attention, you'll be amazing how how the mix completely changes.

Volume is like MSG for your ears.

Phone mics generally aren't the best and might not accurately portray how loud it is in your apartment. You should consider picking up a cheap SPL meter like this and showing what it's reading in your video.

I'm 35 - pro mastering engineer, and a tinnitus sufferer. I know this might seem impossible, but in time you will adjust and it will go away. A couple things I wish I had told myself at 21.

1. Buy ear plugs and put them in your car, jacket pocket, pants, back pack. I like the Hearos Extreme ones. Wear them whenever you're in ANY sort of loud environment.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Hearos-Xtreme-Protection-Plugs-14-Pair/dp/B00M0P6FX4/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1519348869&sr=8-6&keywords=hearos+extreme+protection
   
   
2. Buy these, or something like them, and wear them (instead of the earplugs) if you're doing anything around the house that might be loud. Mowing the lawn, building something, even vaccuming.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AFOJ3HG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   
   
3. This is HUGE. Buy an SPL meter (I'll link to a cheap one below) set it up at your listening position and adjust your listening level so that it doesn't go above 85dba during the loudest passages of mastered tracks. Don't use youtube, spotify, or any other loudness normalized playback medium to do this. Buy a song off itunes (that isn't labeled 'mastered for itunes') or better yet - play back a CD.
   
   Mark that volume level on on your level control and NEVER go above it. 85 dba SPL is safe for 8 hours a day - anything more than that, or longer and you could potentially cause permanent damage. If your ears feel stuffed or tired it's because you're listening too long, too loud, or both.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EZZ8B5Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   
   I understand that you may be recording or mixing material that is lower than mastered material and will sound quiet at the 85db setting you'll have marked off. In that case, make a second mark on your volume control that corresponds to 85db at mix level, or better yet - keep the SPL meter in front of you. This serves a dual purpose, as it doesn't only protect your ears, but it helps you hear constantly. Your sensitivity to different frequencies chances (quite a bit) with listening level. So establishing a (safe) standard will allow you to mix faster, better, and much more confidently.
   
   Typed that pretty fast while working, so sorry for any typos.
   
   Good luck!
   
   edit: for some reason all my points are coming up as #1 ... odd.
   

Do you think this would be sufficient? I see they have plenty of options in the $$$$ range:)

https://www.amazon.com/Extech-407730-Digital-Sound-40-130dB/dp/B000EWY67W/ref=sr_1_1?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1518787705&sr=1-1&keywords=sound+level+meter+extech&refinements=p_n_shipping_option-bin%3A3242350011


Yes, she has hearing loss, but they don't generally even test for hearing loss before school age, so it's kind of a 'neither here nor there' type of thing for her ped. Some of the other kids had their hearing tested as well when I started raising a ruckus, and they all had pretty much the same results, so the local reaction is, 'eh, whatever'. The most soul crushing part of it is when we went birdwatching with the kindergarten and we were all quiet to hear the birds and they all complained that they didn't hear them at all until a seagull screetched and then they were all like "now I hear it!"...:(


The dance music they use for exercise is painfully loud to me, twice a day for half an hour. They use two PA type speakers, so it's not exactly a rock concert setup, but the room is quite small. I am admittedly sensitive to rock concert levels, so it might not be 'painful' to most of you guys, but I think definitely inappropriate daily levels for kindergarten.

Try finding someone that you don't like, see which bike makes their ears bleed.

Short of that, buy this.

You have to prove that the sound level is of a level that is a nuisance. I would first record video or audio that your asking a person to please turn down there music. You have to let them know you are recording them.

Give a time stamp of the exact date and time.

If the request is ignored,

Meterk Digital Sound Level Meter, Range 30-130dB(A) Decibel Meter Noise Volume Measuring Max/Min/Hold Data Hold, Self-Calibrated Decibel Monitoring Tester(Battery Included) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07558DPKN/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_oiCvCbVCFWDF0

Buy this, and you need to record you using it. Including approximately how many feet you are away from the noise source. You can get the actual decibel level from the sound source by a little math

Use this website http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Acoustic/isprob2.html

“You can explore numerically to confirm that doubling the distance drops the intensity by about 6 dB and that 10 times the distance drops the intensity by 20 dB”

This is the general concept.

For the reference of the court, take normal ambient measurements of your tv, outside, go to the airport and record the airplane for take off.

Excessive noise, if it really is excessive, is more of a civil matter than a criminal one. As such, your best bet is to take them to small claims court. It's cheap to do so, but I highly doubt the police or the city will do anything about it. Be sure to keep a record of any and all complaints you are making, as it will show that this has been ongoing and that you've tried to remedy it.

You may have to set up a decibel meter to help prove your case. Judges don't like to take things at people's word. If you have something that can objectively state how much noise is being generated (ie a graph of time vs. noise level) then they are much more likely to take you seriously.

Also be aware that that sound meter, and others, will have a low frequency cut-off around 31 Hz. If the noise is low frequency bass coming through the walls, a sound meter might not pick it up. For reference, the lowest note a bass guitar can produce is 42 Hz.

http://www.courts.state.va.us/resources/small_claims_court_procedures.pdf

Very timely. I've been complaining to every "authority" I can find about these jackasses for a while. Honestly these jobs (apartment manager, property manager, security manager, police chief) operate on the principle of "squeaky wheel" escalations as much as any other job, so the more you can complain, the better. It's a particularly terrible infringement if you have autism or PTSD.

I've spoken with McLean PD about it and this is a very transient crime, so if the officer is not on site to note the violation, he can't just dispatch to drive over and hunt the guy--I mean they sometimes do, but it's inefficient because sometimes these people just stop in to bang their shitty small-dick-mobiles off the walls of the buildings, and then these thin-penised men leave.

I've already shouted at these guys a few times (I'm usually indoors) and my gf confronted one recently and he about damn near had a meltdown at the idea that he was doing anything wrong. I can't fathom that there are people so stupid around here that they believe that drowning out people's conversations and scaring their kids is "doing nothing wrong."

Here is a short list of potential places you can complain:

• McLean PD
  
• Senator Saslaw
  
• Virginia Senate District 35
  
• Edens Management
  
• Fairfax County Zoning and Noise
  
  Other Links:
  
  [Fairfax County Noise Ordinance] (https://library.municode.com/va/fairfax_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=THCOCOFAVI1976_CH108.1NOOR)
  
  [Section 108.1-4-2. - Sound generation] (https://i.imgur.com/hUCkUCj.png) Specifically addresses and states that it is unlawful to produce continuous sound in excess of 65dB or impulse sound in excess of 100 dB in a mixed use area, and [every single one of these sports cars] (https://www.supercars.net/forum/threads/supercar-noise-level.96526/) exceeds the continuous decibel limits defined by FFX CO, making these vehicles effectively ILLEGAL in mixed use areas, but the enforcement is lacking.
  
  As a citizen, if you are walking near these machines often (I am not) think about purchasing an [SPL meter] (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N2RLJ32/) and recording the measurement, and include the car tag in the video, and then send it off or tweet it at McLean PD. These meters are not particularly hard to operate, are kind of fun, and are cheap.
  
  Also we want to remember this is hard for the cops, without tech, because it's wack-a-mole. In some places, police and admins are testing out [ACOUSTIC CAMERA TECH] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acoustic_camera#Applications) both of the mobile variety (like LIDAR with mics) and also stationary. In the UK some red light cameras are being retrofitted to include acoustic cameras. The sooner this can happen the better because fartbutt engines seem to be really trending among the asshole community.
  
  And in terms of specific CALL outs, [this douchebag] (https://i.imgur.com/L27vvXP.jpg) is a repeat offender over several months, it's not just revving, this car hums along at a level that exceeds allowable levels for mixed use communities, by DEFAULT. It belongs only on highways, NOT in a mixed use neighborhood, ever. Impress women the old fashioned way, by not being a douchebag.
  
  And if you're one of these guys reading this--women think you're a pathetic turd, not a cool man. Sorry.

That's a solid recommendation. How did you go about setting the levels of your sub vs your monitors?

Edit: Something Like This?

If you are trying to comply with different noise regulations, they should be able to tell you whether they use A/B/C. If they don't tell you what methods they are using to enforce their regulations, that means they don't know what they are talking about and they will just shut you down if they feel like it. Their regulations should say something like 100dBA as measured from the property line, or 108dBC as measured from 10 feet from exhaust. If they say something like "cannot exceed 85dB" thats such a vague regulation that it basically just means you're getting shut down if there is a complaint.

​

There are companies that sell and calibrate expensive dB meters, but it sounds like you just need to ballpark it.

​

https://www.amazon.com/VLIKE-Digital-Measurement-Frequency-Weighting/dp/B071J17TKL/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=dB+meter&qid=1554306569&s=gateway&sr=8-8

​

something like that will be fine for your purposes. If you measure inside your garage, it will read much louder than if you measure outside, so take that in to consideration

Digital sound meter

Is there a usable portable SPL meter on amazon that I can buy that's decently priced? I'm looking at this one.

Cool experiment, OP!

I have a couple of suggestions.

First, why not pick one or two very popular (and therefore most people will know them) songs from the 80s, 90s, 2000s, and recent Top 40 hits. That way almost everyone who participates in your experiment will have some idea of the song structure, rather than have to wade through an esoteric song they are unfamiliar with.

Second, get one of these. It's cheap, but useful, and will allow you to adjust the volume of each listening station (and song) so that the lossy and lossless songs are of equal volume (folks tend to think that the louder of 2 versions of a song is "better", so by using a decibel meter you prevent that particular bias)

Third, you may want to pick a very lossy version of a song (something like 96k mp3 (lossy) and have folks compare it with flac. Many people may be able to tell the difference. Now have them compare flac with something like 320k mp3. You may be surprised by the results.

And finally, if you are using M50Xs, it is only fair to pick a good dubstep song that wakes up the listener and slaps them around a bit. You know, something like this :-)

> We don’t have a decibel meter

Are you from the same team as OP? If you don't have a meter how do you know if you've changed anything? I agree 3 dB is a big difference, but 110 is so loud to begin with I don't think you'd be able to tell the difference. How do you know you're at 113 to begin with? I'm really not trying to be mean but if you don't have a meter, what are you even testing?

edit: you can get a pretty cheap one on amazon. It's not expensive and fancy, but it will at least give you some numbers

https://www.amazon.com/HOLDPEAK-30-130dBA-30-130dBC-Instrument-Monitoring/dp/B00YA65S34/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1525713903&sr=8-2&keywords=sound+meter+dbc&dpID=41ncUWeebKL&preST=_SX342_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

The Beats Solo 2 are excellent starter headphones. So much better than what I started this journey with. I was surprised that the packaging of the Beats was that high quality. Must be Apple's influence.

Do yourself a favor and don't listen too loud! I made that mistake, and now I have some annoying tinnitus, which is constant high pitched ringing in my ears. You can use a dB meter to measure the volume, just put the mic end into the headphone's cup and try to seal the cup with your hand or a rag. Keep it around 80dB or lower and you're good to go.

You could get a meter like this for $20-30.

He is probably not aware how loud he might be, I am sure he feels the butt cheek vibrations every time but unable to hear must be hard to control. Get him one of these and show him what is the acceptable range (depending on his location) so he can start measuring his farts.

If you are using speakers to play the tome you could get a cheap sound level meter.

http://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-TM-Decibel-Battery/dp/B00ECCZWWI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414958244&sr=8-1&keywords=sound+level+meter

It's still very possible to get hearing damage and build up pain even if the immediate volume isn't painful. It sounds like you need to reduce your volume a lot.
I recommend getting a cheap decibel meter and closing your headphones around it. If it measures anything higher than 80-85, you're being unsafe.

Get an SPL Meter Put the subwoofer on your couch where you sit and start playing bass sweeps then walk around your room with the SPL Meter and you'll start to see where the bass gets boomy and where is cancels out. What you want is pretty even response across all frequencies, meaning there is a very little dB level difference between the the various frequencies.

That is where you want to place your sub. Older article but still relevant

I was thinking of getting one of these http://amzn.com/B00ECCZWWI and doing my best to seal the headphone cups around it and figure out what a safe listening volume sounds like while using something like this as a guide http://www.dangerousdecibels.org/education/information-center/decibel-exposure-time-guidelines/

I am cautious about my hearing at times because I have 15-30% hearing loss in my left year (varies with frequency) and it was quite debilitating when it first happened. I can tilt the audio balance in my headphones to compensate somewhat but it's not even close to the same fidelity as my good ear. 15-30% doesn't sound like much but it's roughly the equivalent of putting a finger in your ear, go ahead try it, see what it's like to be me, lol. The most disturbing thing for me is that I can no longer determine the source of a sound around me. Since the hearing is uneven I can no longer unconsciously distinguish which ear is receiving a direct signal and which is receiving a delayed/decayed reflection and therefore have no idea what direction to look most of the time.

Best ear health tip I ever received was from my ear doctor, he recommended peroxide in the ear canal until it stops bubbling followed by white vinegar whenever my ears are feeling stuffy or a little sore to keep the ears clean and free from infection. I wish he had told me that 20 years ago before my eardrum got all scarred up from infections and caused the hearing loss.

This is what I used

Here you go. $18.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ECCZWWI?keywords=decibel%20meter&qid=1450290723&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

Dude, I did the same thing! and then I got one of these guys. Its much better, lol

http://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-TM-Decibel-Battery/dp/B00ECCZWWI/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1407346303&sr=8-10&keywords=db+measure

All you really need is cheap SPL Meter

Amazon Link

Only operates at 1kHz

Sound Level Meter Acoustical Calibrator 94dB & 114dB output levels for 1 inch and 1/2 inch mic https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FFI2OAU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_G7mQCbP7XCGKH

I posted a similar question a few days ago and got good recommendations a lot of which were more advanced than what I was looking to get to start learning the basics. One simple spl meter that was recommended was RISEPRO Decibel Meter, Digital Sound Level Meter 30 – 130 dB Audio Noise Measure Device Dual Ranges HT-80A https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EZZ8B5Q It arrived over the weekend and it actually helped with blending my desktop speakers with a new sub more than I thought it would. I'm sure someday I'll eventually upgrade to something that integrates with software but for now I'm learning fine with this. I got it for $22.

Scientific equipment is generally quite expensive. But I think you can make due with:

TriField Meter https://www.amazon.com/Trifield-100XE-EMF-Meter/dp/B00050WQ1G


Sound Level Meter https://www.amazon.com/COLEMETER-Digital-30-130dB-Batteries-included/dp/B01M67N973/ref=sr_1_7?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1506135018&sr=1-7&keywords=sound+meter

But most meters start at slightly above infrasound levels.

Whenever there's probable noise issues, I recommend being objective. When you're in love with the house, it may not seem "that bad" or "we'll get used to it" but then a year later you're half-insane with the noise.

Buy an SPL Meter and take actual measurements outside and inside the house, write the highest results down. At 60db, it's definitely intrusive. At 70db, you might have to ask your partner to repeat themselves from time to time over the noise. At 80db, it's absolutely annoying, like a running chainsaw. I'd recommend taking measurements at different times of the day, but I don't know if you'll get to do that with a house that you don't already own.

If you want to ballpark it: Buy a decibel meter and place it right at the driver when the Headphone is playing.

If you want to have an absolutely accurate measurement you need a Head and Torso Simulator with anatomically correct ears, they are kinda expensive though.

This would be a good start. :)

https://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-Pressure-30-130dBA-Warranty/dp/B00ECCZWWI/

Hello, reddit,

I think I can break a world record for the... wait for it... loudest pop of the lips. I can create an extremely loud pop with my lips, but I'm sure I need a calibrated, official way to measure that. I don't really know much about the technology of audio, so here's where I ended up. Would a cheap decibel meter record a short instance of sound like that, or would I need something else?

Would a product like THIS help to get the WR for loudest pop of the lips: https://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products%C3%82-Decibel-Reader-Battery/dp/B00ECCZWWI

Thanks, sound people.

Check Amazon, there are a ton in the $15-30 range. From the descriptions, they are all pretty much the same, just different batter sizes/capacities. They all come calibrated from factory and are within +- 1.5 dB accurate and they have 0.1 dB resolution.

I just chose this one since it was cheap, got good reviews, and I have a lot of rechargeable AAA batteries on hand. Works really well for me.

>I don't know what that means.
>I know what the disease is.

Well then maybe you should specify what you are talking about, so you don't use pronouns, so someone outside your head can tell what you're talking about.

>I know what the disease is. Dogs don't get diagnosed with alzheimer's you walnut.

Don't call me a walnut when you are the one who has the understanding problem. Just because a dog can't be diagnosed with alzheimer's doesn't mean. It is immune to the disease. There's only 1% difference between your dna and the dogs dna. You have all the same organs, the brain works the same way. If a dog is coming close to dying of old age it will probably also develop alzheimer's. All living things on the planet with similar anatomy will too. Also it actually might be possible that a vet might be able to diagnose a dog with alzheimer's after all.

https://www.thespruce.com/dementia-in-dogs-1117412

Welp looks like it's dementia.

>Literally no one else in the country has a law about the volume of a dog bark.

1. you don't know that. Laws can change county to county, so unless you've been to every single county, you can't actually make that claim.
   
   
2. just because everyone is doing something doesn't make it right. For example everyone in america is killing themselves with carbs. Well it must be right cuz everyone is doing it.
   
   And everyone in the 70s used asbestos for everything. Welp everyone is doing it, must make it good and correct! good job!. Walnut.
   
   >Can you imagine the inspector for that job?
   
   
3. find the address that recieved the complaint.
   
   
4. put feet up against fence
   
   
5. take three steps back
   
   
6. take out the noise measuring tool.
   
   
7. press button on tool.
   
   
8. see what the peak decibel is.
   
   
9. issue a fix it ticket, or walk away and do nothing based on the reading.
   
   Holey moley! where are we going to find the einstains to do this job?! It's way too difficult! we haven't got the capable individuals that can keep up with these rigorous instructions! We better give up, it's impossible I say! it's just too damn hard!
   
   >The cost to regulate that would be enormous.
   
   Yeah, it would just be too expensive to have three employees per state saving people's lives by fining people that are creating noise. Oh wait, the fines can pay their salaries. Ignore that, this is too damn difficult, it's impossible I say!.
   
   >random dogs with a microphone
   
   I think you need to explore life more, and then you'd know about things like this
   
   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EZZ8B5Q/
   
   being in existence that are used in general purpose. Too bad you don't get out more often huh. But these things are great for measuring everything. You can use this too prove that the neighbors are too loud, or people use them at construction places to check if ear protection is needed.
   
   >If you get scared enough by a dog bark to crash, you're jumpy.
   
   Yes, let's make factual statements about things that we don't know about for things that we weren't there for. Great idea! And like the other five great idea makers before, If there is a 100 db noise, from four feet away, and there is zero warning for the noise, any human will flinch. The repercussions of that flinch is entirely circumstantial. I'd like to invite you to have a megaphone strapped to your back that would be wired to go off randomly, and we can see how unjumpy you really are.

Ah is it something like this one?

I thought maybe it was some kind of custom LCD display and you had it hooked to some Arduino or something with a microphone attached to it.

What about one of these?
BAFX Products - Decibel Meter / Sound Level Reader - W/ Battery! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ECCZWWI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_v54CAbRMDDVVE

Or the advanced which measures dba and dbc and samples many more times per second:
BAFX Products - Decibel Meter / Sound Level Reader - W/ Battery! (Advanced Sound Meter) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P1D84N6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_r64CAb3QAJARN

I just purchased one of these but I haven't received it yet so I can't vouch for it.

I play mostly bar gigs and just ordered a sound level meter to help me gauge + adjust the levels of my main speakers. What levels should I be aiming for in a bar/smaller place setting?

My plan is have some music play through the speakers, go out and measure sound levels, adjust mains, and repeat, and then hopefully my levels for when I play guitar + sing will be similar to when the music was playing.

This is the cheap meter I got. Works just fine for making sure you're not monitoring too loud.

This is my build which I posted on Facebook a few days ago, before I add subwoofer, so far less than $500, I'm still building it ..

--

Tonight's window-shopping shopping cart for my first audio upgrade from 2016 WRX base OEM audio. Includes amp, speakers, and noise suppression. This seems like a really good starter build for less than $500. Looking for feedback.

DS18 SLC1800.4 DS18 Select SLC-1800.4 1,800 Watts Four (4) Channels Amplifier
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IDI0D3K/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00IDI0D3K&linkCode=as2&tag=headsense-20&linkId=TLRSTER62FWVZ4YI

• affordable clean wattage
  
• 80 watts per channel matches customer recommendations for the Alpine speakers
  
  Package: Pair Alpine Sps-610c 6.5" 2 Way Pair of Component Car Speakers + Alpine Sps-610 6.5" 2 Way Pair of Coaxial Car Speakers
  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0059AK2T0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0059AK2T0&linkCode=as2&tag=headsense-20&linkId=PXNDF7S6RPBZPEKP
  
  Rockford RFK4X 4 AWG Complete Amplifier Install Kit
  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012BYOSK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0012BYOSK&linkCode=as2&tag=headsense-20&linkId=2GAGDGGKMRWMHURO
  
  Metra 72-8104 Speaker Connector for Select Toyota Vehicles
  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002BBP7Y/ref=as_li_tl…
  
  50 Sq Ft Noico Self-adhesive Foil & Butyl Mat 50 Mil Automotive Sound Deadening Insulation for Cars & Truck (Audio Dampening & Deadener Installation)
  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00URR4O5I/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00URR4O5I&linkCode=as2&tag=headsense-20&linkId=Q7FJEOPI6QOBHJKL
  
  Noico Metal Barrel Roller Installation Tool
  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015WJH4ZW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B015WJH4ZW&linkCode=as2&tag=headsense-20&linkId=WNEQ67NXUPTXMY4T
  
  BAFX Products® - Decibel Meter / Sound Level Reader - W/ Battery
  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ECCZWWI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00ECCZWWI&linkCode=as2&tag=headsense-20&linkId=UV3UKNSI24GV7E3Q
  
  
• to measure the noise levels before and after installing the Noico mat
  
  Dayton Audio iMM-6 Calibrated Measurement Microphone for iPhone, iPad Tablet and Android
  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ADR2B84/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00ADR2B84&linkCode=as2&tag=headsense-20&linkId=XCRDPQNFVK6NFAAN
  
  
• to calibrate the HU EQ after the amp and speakers are installed

Does anyone have suggestions for a good but cheap/simple spl Meter? I’m getting into comparing components but I’m finding it’s really hard to do so without at least (somewhat) accurate volume matching

Would something like this work

https://www.amazon.com/BAFX-ProductsÂ-Decibel-Reader-Battery/dp/B00ECCZWWI/ref=pd_aw_sim_469_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00ECCZWWI&pd_rd_r=ac92f1da-da45-11e8-b1e4-5f3ea650bb69&pd_rd_w=khZ0j&pd_rd_wg=EnD1y&pf_rd_i=mobile-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=57b46099-d750-4d74-83ee-63ad64b310a4&pf_rd_r=SC12YWX12MFQAB592965&pf_rd_s=mobile-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=SC12YWX12MFQAB592965

So I have: http://www.akg.com/pro/p/k612pro
Can I still use that voltage value and the knowledge that my headphones say: Sensitivity headphones 101 dB SPL/V
do maths and get dB?
Or can you literally put something like this in-between the earpieces to get it: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EWY67W/

Here's one that may work. Windows only, no Mac software. USB powered and displays on unit and computer when connected. Says it'll do data logging.
https://www.amazon.com/Backlight-Measuring-30dB-130dB-Instrument-Professional/dp/B06Y59XZWH/ref=pd_sbs_328_23?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B06Y59XZWH&pd_rd_r=493bf5ae-b638-11e8-b560-8d045d38d0f1&pd_rd_w=D3lbb&pd_rd_wg=Fk3k5&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=53dead45-2b3d-4b73-bafb-fe26a7f14aac&pf_rd_r=ZQT11Z4Z8CNADB1C2PRH&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=ZQT11Z4Z8CNADB1C2PRH


Most audio dosimeters are battery powered because they're used in occupational noise exposure situations.

Haven't used the one mentioned, but it's a lot cheaper than the B&K ones I have used.

You should get a decibel meter to ensure it works -

https://www.amazon.com/Hand-Held-V-Resourcing-Measurement-Backlight-Function/dp/B07PQV7WBQ

This is the one I got.

Here

I listen at around 70-75 decibles

I use one of these at my listening position:
https://smile.amazon.com/Galaxy-Audio-CM130-Sound-Pressure/dp/B0002GWFG4/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=decimeter&qid=1550436912&s=gateway&sr=8-2&th=1

I set it to "slow" and "c weighted". It's centered, pointing straight forward, at my listening height and distance (about 30" away from the monitors). The room is partially treated and 11ft x 14ft.

I start with -20dB of pink noise in my daw (with DAW master at 0.0dB) and the monitor volume knob at 12 o'clock. I then turn my interface up to get to 60dB. I then check the level of each speaker until they are identical and still 60dB in stereo. So I guess maybe I'm actually calibrating to 80dB? Can't remember if the 80dB standard incorporates the -20dB pink noise part. I got this all from a book ages ago.

Then after that I calibrate using Sonarworks. Then I calibrate again to 50dB and call it good, unless my sub needs to be adjusted. Then I turn that up or down and recalibrate for optimum low end accuracy and extension. But my initial 60dB is done without the sub (which is low passed to 80Hz).

The reason I start at 60dB is to maintain enough headroom for Sonarworks calibration. It requires a fairly low noise floor and my monitors at 50dB just didn't cut it. The calibration tones need to be somewhat loud for the process to be accurate.

Get a sound meter and balance your speakers.

If you can't adjust per channel levels on your receiver get whatever receiver supports the technologies (HDMI, AirPlay, etc.) you want as long as it has Audyssey.

Something like this? Anything else I could do to roughly estimate it in the meantime?

Honestly, if you care about audio as a hobby and preserving your hearing, get a real spl meter. Even a cheap one will be miles better than a phone app: https://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products%C2%AE-Decibel-Reader-Battery/dp/B00ECCZWWI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1472860855&sr=8-3&keywords=decibel+meter

Get something like that, use it to calibrate your phone app, then always bring hearing protection when you go to concerts. If you don't want to invest in an spl meter, always assume the app reading is lower than actual volume. My phone app was 15db below the actual db level.

No. No app will tell you true SPL. Get a meter. https://www.amazon.com/Galaxy-Audio-CM130-Sound-Pressure/dp/B0002GWFG4

This is the one I have. It’s a bit pricier but is an absolute tank with quite a massive feature set.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N2RLJ32/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_6EI3Cb1XR9R8X

Hello! You should not worry about your volume levels within reasonable hours. I play in bands and studios and have not often had any problems. I'm also a professional audio engineer. Try to be very reasonable with your neighbor until it is obvious they are manipulating you and not able to be pleased. I very seriously doubt you could ever reasonably get ticketed. Consider getting a cheap DB meter to if you need hard data to back up where your music is. Hearing music outside of your house is really no big deal. It's still your land. If it's disturbingly loud outside where your property is, then you may have a problem. Measure decibels from your property line.

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Sound damping may help some. The biggest benefit of sound dampening your basement is that your music will sound better. Look at rugs/some wall treatment or curtains. And then do some cheap corner bass traps. Bass traps being the most important because of the length of the sound waves. Bass is much harder to dampen because it requires a deeper dampening device to be done well.

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https://www.amazon.com/RISEPRO-Decibel-Meter-Digital-Sound/dp/B01EZZ8B5Q/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=decibel+meter&qid=1574642863&sr=8-4

That is just displaying voltage across the amplifier input. It's just a display.

I though you wanted to know how loud it was. If so, you need a dB meter

I am running a 3.2 setup. Post calibration they were set to -1.5 for L/R and -3.5 for center, and -11.5 for each sub. I just happened to pull out the SPL meter to check things out, and noticed all levels read low (considering I've read 75dB is what they are supposed to be set to ).

This is what I am using:

Galaxy Audio CM130 Sound Pressure Level Meter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002GWFG4?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

sure, loudness of any kind is measured in decibels. you can buy a decibel meter, and look up the noise ordinance for your community or city, then measure the decibels in your yard or house to see if your neighbors are violating the law. you might be able to sue them if that's the case (using recordings from your decibel meter as evidence), especially if the police can't seem to fix the problem, but i'm no lawyer.

you can also use the decibel meter to measure the loudness of your own siren. if they're not breaking the law with their music (just being inconsiderate and annoying) and you have the headroom to add a siren on top of whatever they're playing without breaking the law, then use the decibel meter to see if the siren and music are both lawful together. if so, you will at least have your CYA in order should the police show up.

you might annoy your other neighbors though, and i do like the idea of enlisting their help in fighting the noise menace next door. and getting into a war with the next door neighbor could be dangerous, if you don't know what kind of people you're living next to. just something to keep in mind.

they are cheap my friend, https://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-Decibel-Reader-Battery/dp/B00ECCZWWI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1480617836&sr=8-3&keywords=decibel+meter

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ECCZWWI/

have fun. point at your speakers from listening position.


If you meant that you want to measure the level (in -db) of the actual files being played:

http://www.darkwooddesigns.co.uk/pc2/meters.html

this is what you need