Reddit mentions: The best sound measurement tools

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 :-)

Sound level meter

For switch I am using a FiiO HS2, but they are discontinued and harder to get a hold of. It rocks though because it has 4 I/O by 2 I/O. When I'm not using it for testing, I just leave 4 headphones connected to the same source so I can just use the switch to control which one is getting the input.

There are cheaper switches like the Sescom one.

Also, I think this is a worthy combo for anyone. The switch box is functional to use for hooking up multiple sources or multiple headphones for convenience. And the sound level meter is good to check your normal listening volumes to make sure you are staying in safe levels. Definitely worth having as a hobbyist.

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.

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.

As you said, loudness not only depends on the amp and headphone pairing, but also the individual track gain. It is safe to say that anything below the 12 o'clock position is safe for prolonged listening.

If you really need a rough estimate of how loud you are listening you will have to buy a dB meter and place it between the earcups while playing music

This is impossible to say, as it depends on your music and your DAC. Both affect the loudness coming from the headphones. Buy an SPL meter that measures in dBC and measure the loudness yourself. Here is an example. Stick the mic inside the cup, roughly where the opening to your ear is when you wear the HD600. Cover it: Use your hand, a pillow, or something to make a complete seal around the earpad while the mic is inside the cup. That will give you an idea.

Below 85dBC is safe indefinitely, 85dBC for 8 hours is safe, 88dBC for 4 hours is safe, 90dBC for 1 hour is safe.

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.

Quiet rest periods do help. But the best way to tell if an individual's situation is potentially harmful is to get and wear a dosimeter, but they're fairly expensive. You may be able to call around to audiologists or maybe have a friend who works in a factory to see if you could borrow one for a night.

However, there are now smart phone dosimeter apps. I wouldn't use it professionally, but I've used it as a teaching tool. Instruct students to download it and try it out at the clubs etc. I'm an Android guy and I use Noise Dosimeter. I think it's a reasonable start.

You can also download a decibel meter onto your smartphone (sound meter for android is one), or buy one at a music store for not much money. Or this one off Amazon for 20 bucks.

Put in ears plugs and speak as you normally would and record your decibel level. Record the levels of people you know who speak normally.
Then practice speaking with the earplugs in (they drop your perceived decibels by about 30 or so). This will mute your hearing a bit and let you sort of reset your muscle memory around the muscular effort required to speak.
It's also possible that it's not just the volume but the pitch and tone of your voice that bothers people too. You can record your speaking voice into a sound file and compare it with a sample of some spoken word piece, like a voice actor doing a script reading that you can repeat word for word.

Finally, you can hire a voice coach. One suited for singing can help you manipulate your vocal tones and learn more about how to use your voice in social situations.

The psychological impact of vocal tones, volume, and frequency of speech can't be stressed enough when you are interacting with neurotypicals. It's definitely worth putting some effort into mastering.

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 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.

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

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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

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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

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

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.

> 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

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

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

This would be a good start. :)

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

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.

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/

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

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)

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Just get a sound level meter or borrow one to measure volume. You'll know how loud you can listen without damaging your ears much.

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 agree with the above comment that the alarm will likely just trigger the dogs more. But since this is diyelectronics, I will throw you a bone (ha).

A microphone connected to a signal filter/amplifier then a comparator circuit, outputting to a ssr that activates your alarm. The details of the circuit obviously depends on the parts you get.

OR, this guy here may be easier, but a little less DIY.

This is what I used

Here

I listen at around 70-75 decibles

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

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

Here you go. $18.

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

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

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.

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.

Digital sound meter

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

Short of that, buy this.

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.

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.