Radio Shack SPL meter with DCX2496?

[mazeroth]

I was going to purchase a Radio Shack analog SPL meter in the near future to measure my room's bass and was wondering if this guy could be used to measure my recently completed line arrays? These are a budget set of arrays using (10) 4.5" Vifa TC11 woofers and a single Fountek JP-2.0 ribbon. I have them hooked up to my Behringer DCX2496 and after a quick set up I'm BLOWN AWAY! I'd like to be able to measure them and tweak their output with the DCX2496's built-in EQ system. Being they're only 4.5" drivers I have the boxes tuned to 65hz. While they sound very good, they are lacking a little in the low end so I'd like to make that as flat as possible.

For $39, do you think the analog Radio Shack is the way to go? Should I step up to the $49 digital one they offer? Or is there a better solution (like to keep it under $100) that will provide me with better results?

Lastly, how high will the Radio Shack meters go? I doubt they'll do 20khz but I could be wrong.

Thanks!

I'm also attaching a pic of the unfinished cabs so you guys can see what I've built! Not too shabby for a first time woodworker, eh?

[tiroth]

Check the part numbers, but here are the correction factors for the analog SPL meter. I don't see any need to go with the digital one. I would think the VU meter would be more valuable to have anyway.

http://www.anidian.com/audio/misc/spl.shtml

Oh, and great looking work!

[mazeroth]

The one used in the article is the 33-2050, while the one Radio Shack sells now is the 33-4050, and is $5 more than the one listed in the article. Can anyone confirm these are the same? I sure hope so! Also, the digital one they list on their site is the 33-2055, which probably has the same "guts" as the 33-2050, and I'm sure it's the same one the guy who wrote that article has.

http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...t%5Fid=33-4050

http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...t%5Fid=33-2055

As far as the 1/3 octave pink noise goes, can I just use my computer with WinISD to generate a frequency?

Thanks!

[Grahamt]

You can use the RS meter and Speaker Workshop to measure your speakers. I would say it is accurate enough for us amateurs up to 5-7 kHz. There are calibration files for SW.

I like the digital meter better myself.

[Mentero]

Hi,

You will find a very useful set of mods to the RS SPL in this page

Eric Wallin

Look under RS SPL Mods.

I am using an old RS analog with Eric's modification with very good results.

Miguel mentero

[Cordraconis]

Well, I'll be starting my very first loudspeaker project shortly by ordering the drivers, but I'd like something to measure the final result. (I'll burn a test-cd with sweep tones etc ... myself)

Hence I want to buy an SPL meter, preferrably a digital one for ease of use.

Now, I looked at the radio shack one and it is the most documented one (correction curves! yeey!), but if you add the shipping costs and if the customs department of Belgium wants their share too, then it is better to look at SPLmeters available in Europe, me thinks.

I found for 99€ (shipping included!) this one in Germany:
http://www.earplugs.de/Cont/Plugs/SoundLevelMeter.htm

It looks like the Radio Shack one, but with another name on it.

It is also the cheapest digital SPLmeter I could find on the net, with others (Class 2 - domestic use, NOT for law enforcements and thus cheaper) prices starting from 175€ exl VAT and shipping.

Is there anyone who knows better or even cheaper alternatives in Europe? Or if someone has this SonicShop SPLmeter and can give me a 'go ahead' nod, I'd greatly appreciate it.

thx,

Joris

[planet10]

I know that when i got mine, the analog meter was considered superior to the digital one, alas only the digital one is available in canada anymore.... hold that, looks like none may be available... radio shack canada has just been sucked up by circuit city.

dave

[Cordraconis]

errrm ... so are you saying I should go for an analog one?


I remember something vaguely about a shop in Ghent who could get those, but i don't know the brand ...

[planet10]

Originally posted by Cordraconis
errrm ... so are you saying I should go for an analog one?

The models aren't the same anymore, so who knows... just don't assume that the digital one is better

dave

[thomas997]

Originally posted by Mentero
Hi,

You will find a very useful set of mods to the RS SPL in this page

Eric Wallin

Look under RS SPL Mods.

Yeah I did those and they really extended the low end measurement..

I think its even too much for me.. If for example, I wave my hand infront of the meter, or close a door, the thing goes crazy from the ultra low frequency.. heh

Its fine if you mount on a tripod though.

btw if you want the analog one, check ebay.