I have a new HT/MUSIC 7.1 surround system and I would appreciate recommendations for an analogue SPL meter (analogue is recommended by my SVS sub manufacturer) and calibration DVD.
Thanks,
Jim

The analog SPL meter that SVS recommends (and sells) can be purchased at any Radio Shack for about $45.

I don't know anyone who uses a different analog SPL meter for their calibration.

The common favorite is the Radio Shack SPL meter. My brother has a Galaxy SPL meter that works fine too, but it costs more afaik.

Grazie!

I have a new HT/MUSIC 7.1 surround system and I would appreciate recommendations for an analogue SPL meter (analogue is recommended by my SVS sub manufacturer) and calibration DVD.
Thanks,
Jim

I have a somewhat related question, why an analog meter? Does a digital model not function as well?

Is there a perception that since the digital model displays in 1db increments, vs the analog models infinite display that the digital model is less accuarte?

I have a RS digital model and it seems to work fine.

I have a somewhat related question, why an analog meter? Does a digital model not function as well?

Is there a perception that since the digital model displays in 1db increments, vs the analog models infinite display that the digital model is less accuarte?

I have a RS digital model and it seems to work fine.

This is a long-standing "discusssion". Basically, it boils down to a matter of personal preference - I happen to prefer the analog.

I am choosing analogue simply because my subwoofer manufacturer SVS recommended analogue and I am trusting that they have good reason.
My own experience in the electrical field is that digital meters can often be less reliable than analogue meters because they are susceptible to elements such as ambient temperature, stray voltage, frequencies...

This one is identical to the original RS meter:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92282

Thank you WilliamZX11. Can you recommend a DVD for setting up sound and video for 7.1 system?
Thanks,
Jim

This one is identical to the original RS meter:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92282

Are you sure? I couldn't find the accuracy of the RS meters?

The Harbor Freight model has an accuracy of +-2db.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but thats 4dbs!
That kind of difference will definitely be audible. I would look else where.

Are you sure? I couldn't find the accuracy of the RS meters?

The Harbor Freight model has an accuracy of +-2db.
The RS meters are (or were) +/- 2 dB, although that spec no longer seems to be on the website.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but thats 4dbs!
That kind of difference will definitely be audible. I would look else where.

Why? Chances are the meter will have a consistant error with pink noise and if it is 2 dB high it will read 2 dB high on every channel. For most of us equal level is the goal and not whether we have set our reference level at 73, 75 or 77 dB.

Chances are the meter will have a consistant error

If it had a "consistant error" I guess it wouldn't have an accuracy of +-2db would it?

I think the +- is at any given time it.

I think what Trek Guy means is, any given meter's reading are repeatable. If it measures a sound with a +2dB error today, it's error will be +2dB next week. Yet another unit may measure the same sound as -2dB. In the end the fact that you are using 77dB or 73dB as your reference instead of the 75dB, doesn't mater.

If it had a "consistant error" I guess it wouldn't have an accuracy of +-2db would it?

I think the +- is at any given time it.

There are two primary meanings for +- in this context:

1) Any given meter will be within +/- xdB of "correct", meaning one meter might be 0.5dB high, another might be 1.7dB low.

2) Over the specified frequency range, a particular meter will be within +/- xdB of "correct", meaning at 100Hz the meter might be 0.3 dB high and at 10kHz that same meter might be 1dB low.

It means the actual SPL level will be within 2dB of what's displayed.

Neither of these issues will invalidate the measurements for the goal of calibrating to your speakers to a consistent relative level.

What it does not mean is that a given meter will at one moment be 1dB low and the next 2dB high. +/- 2dB does NOT mean that you could measure one speaker 2dB high and the next 2dB low.

unless you throw in inaccuracies across the audio frequency range, of course.
If you are comparing your 40Hz output to your 120Hz output and the meter is +2dB at 40Hz and -2dB at 120Hz, well that comparison could be 4db off. etc.
I'd stick with the RS meter, just because it's been around as a standard. Until you see some test results or something....

Are you sure? I couldn't find the accuracy of the RS meters?

The Harbor Freight model has an accuracy of +-2db.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but thats 4dbs!
That kind of difference will definitely be audible. I would look else where.

The RS meter has been tested by accurate instruments and the error table been published and is on the net someplace.

For level matching the channels, the table is not useful. If you are doing frequency response measurement, than it helps a lot, especially in th e ow bands.
This is one reason why so may use the RS meter.