The sound pressure level meter and you

If you've ever lived in an apartment complex, or in a college dorm, it's almost a fact that at some point you have had to deal with noisy neighbors. Strong footsteps, vacuuming late at night, loud parties and, of course, sound systems loud enough to break windows. And if you're like me, you've asked yourself, "Don't they realize how HIGH they are?" And while it's true that many people notice and just don't care, some honestly ignore the amount of noise they and their sound system make.

Many people simply have no idea how incredibly loud their home theater audio systems are or how much that noise level can distort sound and damage hearing. And if you are the proud owner of such a system and are trying to achieve optimal listening volume, that can be a real problem, especially since high-precision measuring instruments can be very expensive, incredibly large, and annoyingly difficult. to find. Fortunately for the demanding home audiophile, there is a solution: a Sound Pressure Level Gauge (SPL). This handy, portable, lightweight, easy to use and generally affordable measuring instrument can help you make the most of your home entertainment listening experience.

An SPL meter is practical in size, generally about six inches long and two inches wide, and has a corresponding weight of about six ounces. But don't let its size fool you - this little gadget may be the answer to your home theater audio challenges. Here are the facts. The decibel, or dB, is the unit used to measure sound. In an SPL meter, both the dB output of a system and the effect of that output on the human ear are measured. This dual monitoring system allows listeners to adjust their systems accordingly, and there you have it: a perfectly tuned home theater audio system for maximum enjoyment. You will be able to hear car chases and explosions as loud as possible without the annoying side effect of damaged eardrums.

This is, of course, a very basic description of the SPL meter's abilities. There are slightly different settings that should be used for specific situations, such as when measuring the sound of a HiFi system instead of a generic one. Still, the basic principle is the same. Just turn on your system, pick up your meter and take aim and shoot. Done deal. https://megatron.co.il/

As mentioned, SPL meters are easy to find and can be purchased at most electronics stores. Radio Shack carries them, as does Circuit City and a number of online stores like ProGear Warehouse and Elusivedisc.com. Some are more expensive than others and some have better precision and wider frequencies. But the most basic model is usually enough for the average home theater audio system owner. So if you want to watch your movies in surround sound as loud as possible, but still be able to hear from your friends within twelve months, invest in one of these. Your eardrums and your neighbors will thank you.