2. amps-preamps
  3. 185928-150037

Are your listening levels healthy? Doing damage?

Do you know decibel levels when listening to your system, and how loud do you go?

Since upgrading my system, again, I find my listening levels have tended to increase. Not because I'm slowly going deaf but because it's more enjoyable.

I measured the decibel level with a few iPad Apps, and there was lots of disparity. Plus or minus 25 dB. 

Certainly if it's too loud I sense things are not healthy but I'd really like to know how loud things are since Google tells me prolonged listening above 70 dB could be damaging my hearing.

The apps on an iPad are clearly unreliable and now I have to contemplate spending several hundred dollars for a sound meter as well as a calibration device so I can know what my limits are and so I can be in compliance with Google.

Anyone know a good sound meter, and do most serious listeners get one of these things?

 

emergingsoul
hartf36's avatar
hartf36
206 posts
 

Can you recommend one for about $200 Plus calibration which I view as essential.

Sorry for the delayed reply.  I hope you see this, emergingsoul.

I currently use a TSI/Quest Sound Examiner SE-402IS.  I have a Quest QC-10 calibrator for it.  My best suggestion is to get a sound meter/calibrator from the same manufacturer.  That way, you're ensured to get a calibrator specifically tailored to the configuration of your meter.  If you decide to go with a stand-alone calibrator, I'd stick with one manufactured by companies that specialize in analytical instrumentation.  If you don't need that level of accuracy, then any sound meter in the $100-$150 range should suit you.  You'll likely want one that fits both the 1/2" and 1" microphones most good sound meters have (one or the other).  Just make sure you know what size microphone your meter has.

If you're talking about phone calibration, as far as I know, the only way to do it is to compare it's reading with a true, calibrated sound meter.  Remember, phone apps are nothing more than rudimentary screening apps.  That said, 20-30 dB difference between apps seems like an awful big spread.  I'd be inclined to think that the NIOSH app has a better algorithm.  Here's a study on phone app accuracy, albeit a bit dated:  https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2014/04/09/sound-apps/

Luck.

 

 

emergingsoul OP
1,124 posts
 

Thanks, don't understand the microphone size issue.

Curious to know the price on this meter and the calibrator.  I checked and saw prices all over the map, one was $2100

spinnin
5 posts
 
https://i1.wp.com/audio-head.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/NIOSH-OSHA-Standards_2.jpg?w=800&ssl=1 Hope this helpful.
whitecap
120 posts
 

No.  Probably.  And have the same pattern as @markalarsen.  

deep_333
1,357 posts
 

Alcohol: Negative impact on hearing...I rarely drink anymore, but, I feel like my hearing is veiled for a day or two after if I hit the bottle one night. Dudes who hit the bottle hard every night probably have a low quality listening experience no matter the quality of gear, room, etc

Coffee: Positive impact in smaller quantities....Neutral impact in larger quantities...

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