Calibrated microphones – now on sale- 5 options

[otto88]

At PE for $40 Parts-Express.comayton EMM-6 Electret Measurement Microphone | Dayton EMM-6 EMM6 measurement mic measurement microphone mic microphone electret mic electret microphone speaker mic test microphone test mic recording mic recording microphone Audio_M
And 4 options at Cross-Spectrum at Cross·Spectrum - Calibrated Dayton Audio EMM-6 Microphones for Sale

According to Dayton EMM-6 RTA mic with unique calibration file - AVS Forum
At PE “All you get is a paper graph though, so you have to scan it and use SPL Tracer to build the file”

While Cross-Spectrum provide “calibration files (.FRD format) on a mini-CD ROM for use in many popular audio measurement programs”

Between the Cross-Spectrum options:

I personally don’t see huge value in a calibration curve going beyond 20 kHz.
But < 20 Hz might be good for he men subs, checking room gain. That’s if a mic may be out much, at that ultra low Hz end . . anyone know?

This would be my first measurement microphone, in what situations would calibration at 45° and 90° be?

And I appreciate the value of Polars in measuring speakers, placing the mic at different angles to the speaker - but can’t visualize a polar calibration. What is that?

[ted4412wilt]

The calibration text file for each mike is available online from PE for free. Just a few seconds to download once you get your mike with serial number. I already have an ecm8000 but not calibrated so I will buy the Dayton because it is much cheaper than getting my ecm8000 calibrated. Freight is free from PE if you add a few more items. My trouble is limiting myself to a few because PE has so many great deals!

[dantheman]

I had mine calibrated independently and it didn't match the PE graph. It wasn't too far off though. Above 100Hz it didn't stray more than like a dB at any one point if I remember correctly. PEs would have still been useful for general work.

Thought you might like to know.

Dan

[ttan98]

Just placed an order to buy one. According to PE site, once I receive the EMM6 all I have to do is to download the calibration file which corresponds to the EMM6 serial no. Could this approach gives me a more accurate that reflect the EMM6 I bought? I have to check this out myself once I receive it.

Cheers

[otto88]

So does anyone see value in calibration of off-axis/.FRD over .txt/ more accurate calibration (or the extra bandwidth of calibration) from Cross-Spectrum?

[otto88]

http://www.cross-spectrum.com/cslmic...mic_report.pdf

Seeing that, a mic should always be oriented consistently.

I'm maybe missing something obvious here, but for what purpose would mic calibration at 45°/ 90°, or Polar be useful?; anyone?

Thanks

[cuibono]

these mics, even though 'omni' still have off axis HF rolloff. But more important than the polar response is knowing its inherent sensitivity (xx.xx Pa/mV or somesuch). You need this number to know what dB SPL you are measuring.

My impression is that the Dayton mic isn't calibrated in a standard way, and so isn't extremely accurate. If you don't care about being +/-1dB, it is okay. I don't like that kind of uncertainty, so I got my mic calibrated. If I did it again, I would probably buy one from cross-spectrum. He seems like a very scrupulous guy - and he isn't doing mic cal's for the money...

[dantheman]

Originally Posted by cuibono

these mics, even though 'omni' still have off axis HF rolloff. But more important than the polar response is knowing its inherent sensitivity (xx.xx Pa/mV or somesuch). You need this number to know what dB SPL you are measuring.

My impression is that the Dayton mic isn't calibrated in a standard way, and so isn't extremely accurate. If you don't care about being +/-1dB, it is okay. I don't like that kind of uncertainty, so I got my mic calibrated. If I did it again, I would probably buy one from cross-spectrum. He seems like a very scrupulous guy - and he isn't doing mic cal's for the money...

+1. That's where I had mine done.

[otto88]

Thanks Cuibono and dantheman.

So that means Cross-Spectrum’s Premium, or Premium+

Premium+ also gives calibration at 45°/ 90. Only an extra $5, but (how) is that useful?

[dantheman]

Originally Posted by otto88

Thanks Cuibono and dantheman.

So that means Cross-Spectrum’s Premium, or Premium+

Premium+ also gives calibration at 45°/ 90. Only an extra $5, but (how) is that useful?

Good question.