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Any sound meter recommendations?

Posted: Wed Oct 08, 2014 8:54 am
by unclemoak
I'm looking to start some somewhat formal testing for a form 1 project and was wondering if there's any suggested sound meters to use? Any tips on brands and/or features would be appreciated.

I didn't really have a set budget, but would like to stay under $750.

Re: Any sound meter recommendations?

Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2014 9:22 pm
by Faulkner
There are actually a couple of good iPhone apps for sound metering.

Re: Any sound meter recommendations?

Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2014 10:25 pm
by doubloon
That's about what $750 will get you

Try this search, you might be able to afford the required accessories for <$750

https://www.google.com/search?q=Bruel+% ... Model+2209

Re: Any sound meter recommendations?

Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2014 11:05 pm
by Artful
Faulkner wrote:There are actually a couple of good iPhone apps for sound metering.
I have yet to see a "GOOD" app for sound metering :roll:

Re: Any sound meter recommendations?

Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2014 12:10 am
by 66427vette
Add a zero or two or it is just a toy.

Re: Any sound meter recommendations?

Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2014 6:37 am
by curtistactical
You can find used Larson Davis 800b's for under $1000 but the mic will cost you $1200. The best thing to do is rent one, unless you are either a manufacturer or just have plenty of money buying a meter is not reasonable. You will not get an accurate reading with anything less than this set-up. I am not sure on the fee for rental but there are quite a few places that do it.

Re: Any sound meter recommendations?

Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2014 11:10 pm
by unclemoak
curtistactical wrote:You can find used Larson Davis 800b's for under $1000 but the mic will cost you $1200. The best thing to do is rent one, unless you are either a manufacturer or just have plenty of money buying a meter is not reasonable. You will not get an accurate reading with anything less than this set-up. I am not sure on the fee for rental but there are quite a few places that do it.

Like this?

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 18&alt=web

Re: Any sound meter recommendations?

Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 7:35 am
by curtistactical
unclemoak wrote:
curtistactical wrote:You can find used Larson Davis 800b's for under $1000 but the mic will cost you $1200. The best thing to do is rent one, unless you are either a manufacturer or just have plenty of money buying a meter is not reasonable. You will not get an accurate reading with anything less than this set-up. I am not sure on the fee for rental but there are quite a few places that do it.

Like this?

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 18&alt=web
Yes, you would just need a different mic. That is the meter I use, you will need a 2530 mic and your good to go.

Re: Any sound meter recommendations?

Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 8:50 am
by doubloon
curtistactical wrote:...
Yes, you would just need a different mic. That is the meter I use, you will need a 2530 mic and your good to go.
Calibrator recommended?

Re: Any sound meter recommendations?

Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 8:53 am
by Capt. Link.
Calibrator required or the readings are useless.

Re: Any sound meter recommendations?

Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 10:30 am
by Bendersquint
Would also need to send it to a service center to be sure that it even worked right.

Would be bad to invest the money in a new mic and calibrator and THINK its working only only to find out it isn't working right.

Always have used equipment checked out. For that price I guarantee they aren't guaranteeing its condition beyond used.

Re: Any sound meter recommendations?

Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 11:45 am
by saigatechusa
B&K 3052 with 2670 1/4" mic

calibration here at B&K norcross Ga. was 1200.00 :shock:

Re: Any sound meter recommendations?

Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 12:04 pm
by doubloon
Let us know how it works out if you order it.

I would be thrilled to see accurate metering for a sub $1000 investment.

Re: Any sound meter recommendations?

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 11:13 am
by unclemoak
Well that wasn't cheap. Ended up getting it for $810, but I still will need a Mic and calibrator to go with it.

Re: Any sound meter recommendations?

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 11:21 am
by Bendersquint
unclemoak wrote:Well that wasn't cheap. Ended up getting it for $810, but I still will need a Mic and calibrator to go with it.
Ouch!

Re: Any sound meter recommendations?

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 12:19 pm
by doubloon
hopes ... dashed

Re: Any sound meter recommendations?

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 1:39 pm
by unclemoak
Bendersquint wrote:
unclemoak wrote:Well that wasn't cheap. Ended up getting it for $810, but I still will need a Mic and calibrator to go with it.
Ouch!

After talking to a Larson Davis engineer this afternoon, it seems the 2540 mic it comes with will work for the .22 I'm metering, but the 2530 would be better suited for larger calibers.

I asked about calibrators and was told a calibrator is more for sport checking the mic on location, but Larson themselves can inspect and calibrate the 800b for about $250.

Re: Any sound meter recommendations?

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 2:01 pm
by Bendersquint
unclemoak wrote:
Bendersquint wrote:
unclemoak wrote:Well that wasn't cheap. Ended up getting it for $810, but I still will need a Mic and calibrator to go with it.
Ouch!

After talking to a Larson Davis engineer this afternoon, it seems the 2540 mic it comes with will work for the .22 I'm metering, but the 2530 would be better suited for larger calibers.

I asked about calibrators and was told a calibrator is more for sport checking the mic on location, but Larson themselves can inspect and calibrate the 800b for about $250.
If you are trying to do mil spec testing why not do it right and get a calibrator?

Re: Any sound meter recommendations?

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 3:11 pm
by unclemoak

If you are trying to do mil spec testing why not do it right and get a calibrator?

I'll likely end up finding one. Just commenting on what Larson told me.

Re: Any sound meter recommendations?

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 3:57 pm
by Bendersquint
unclemoak wrote:

If you are trying to do mil spec testing why not do it right and get a calibrator?

I'll likely end up finding one. Just commenting on what Larson told me.
Will to bet Larson doesn't even know what mil spec testing is, I know B&K doesn't.

Re: Any sound meter recommendations?

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 4:46 pm
by saigatechusa
B&K made the meter 20 years ago that AAC still uses

B&K doesn't do testing of firearms

Re: Any sound meter recommendations?

Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2014 4:52 pm
by Bendersquint
saigatechusa wrote:B&K made the meter 20 years ago that AAC still uses

B&K doesn't do testing of firearms
Neither does Larson Davis, nor does anyone make a meter nowadays that will perform mil spec testing aside from B&K2209 and LD800B.

Re: Any sound meter recommendations?

Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2014 10:47 am
by JasonM
saigatechusa wrote:B&K made the meter 20 years ago that AAC still uses

B&K doesn't do testing of firearms
No, AAC moved on to a new system years ago.

Re: Any sound meter recommendations?

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 11:41 am
by Josh-PTP
What about a B&K Model 2230??

Like This One??

eBay #151441759055

Thanks
Josh

Re: Any sound meter recommendations?

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2014 12:03 pm
by Bendersquint
Josh-PTP wrote:What about a B&K Model 2230??

Like This One??

eBay #151441759055

Thanks
Josh
No that would not be accurate, not fast enough rise.