Need helping finding a piece of sound equipment... a decibel gauge to be exact.

[Blacksheep Josh]

Exactly as the title says... I'm looking for a pod/gauge style meter that will measure decibel levels. I'm building a center console/switch board for a friend and he's constantly changing his setup around and I'd like to install a meter that either has a digital output, or a needle.

I know on pimp my ride a few years ago they wired something up that looks like what I'm talking about, I've even seen car audio shops have these gauges mounted on subwoofer boxes.

Does anyone know what I'm talking about, and more specifically where I can find this? Thanks.

 

[rhauf]

this is the best one money can buy.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103668&CAWELAID=107599065

be SURE you get an analog one not a digital, it's a lot easier to see what's going on with a needle than a bunch of numbers flashing around.

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

Appreciate the link... but no go man.

Need something that can be installed and set in place.... I'm using this thread to base my idea off of, basically it's going to be 5 switches which will be 1 master switch for the whole panel, and accessory switches. Also with a gauge in the pod as well.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199794

Basically I'm looking for a pod gauge that has an output reading for audio levels. I've found a few on ebay but they aren't what I'm looking for... even if it's an analog display that I can take apart and mount to LOOK like a gauge. Doesn't have to be circular, just want something that can be installed and is a quick readout, no buttons or anything like that.

 

[Nutzon20s]

If its not a TERMLAB, it wont be accurate. Also, the cheap ones at Radio Shack, and Wal-Mart, yes Wal-Mart, only go up to 130 db. But, even then you could see a 130 on that meter and only be doing 115.

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

It's not so much as to be perfectly accurate as to for show... anyone know of a gauge of which I seek?

 

[2000XPLORERSPORT]

how high of a db reading do you need? will 130 db mic be loud enough? or do you need one that will read over 130 db?

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

how high of a db reading do you need? will 130 db mic be loud enough? or do you need one that will read over 130 db?

Preferably over if possible... but if it can only go to 130 that's fine to. It's in a Jeep Grand Cherokee and he has plans to go to 4 15's eventually. Like I said, doesn't have to be 100% accurate, but within about 20db's would be nice lol.

 

[BigBoom]

this is the best one money can buy.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103668&CAWELAID=107599065

be SURE you get an analog one not a digital, it's a lot easier to see what's going on with a needle than a bunch of numbers flashing around.

bahahah i hope you were kidding you mean this one

http://www.termpro.com/storefront/index.asp?Page=1

 

[Burns]

If its not a TERMLAB, it wont be accurate. Also, the cheap ones at Radio Shack, and Wal-Mart, yes Wal-Mart, only go up to 130 db. But, even then you could see a 130 on that meter and only be doing 115.

You are not kidding. Prob reads way off from that.


Oh and I noticed that the termlab meters have went down in price from what they were about 5 yrs ago

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

Any help on what I asked please???!!!

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

Anyone?

 

[Stic-o]

don't know why you need something over 130db. at that loud you will not hearing much of anything pretty quick!

does he have a iphone? because theres a Ap for that:

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

Lol, he used to. But his Mom took it... traded him a 30GB Zune, a PDA, and some cash for it.

I guess I'll just start making the thing and keep a lookout. I've seen the gauge before an audio shop about 2 hours away, guess I'll just have to buckup and drive there to see it.

Also, only reason I'd LIKE for it to go over 130dB, it doesn't have to, but he's installing 4 15'sin the future and something that's topping out all the time isn't fun!

 

[Burns]

If he is going that good then you will not find a meter that will work good with his system. It needs to read right.

Termlab is the answer.


If you want one that is cheaper you can get one at walmart or and electronics store. Thats really your only options.

 

[BigBoom]

you can get the one at wal mart, crack it open, and change something in the board (i wanna say it's as simple as a knob) and it'll read higher than 130. i saw someone do it on another forum. i think he got it to read as high as 170? definitely not accurate, but a lil tweaking and it wont top out all the time.

 

[Wagonized]

don't know why you need something over 130db. at that loud you will not hearing much of anything pretty quick!

does he have a iphone? because theres a Ap for that:

you wont loose any of your hearing from 130db of sub bass frequencies. Infact a 130 db setup is quite quiet compartively speaking.

to the original poster the 2 accurate SPL pressure sensors in the world are the termlab and the audiocontrol SPL-190. Termlab will be your cheapest at about $650

However for your application id suggestion getting an audiocontrol epic 160 which has a heads up spl display in it that is semi-accurate.

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

Not trying to be *****y, but I like how people are posting devices that are hundreds of dollars lol. But that's on me, I didn't specify how much I was willing to spend either.

I've given up the search for it. I know they're out there, so I"ll just hope I come across them.

 

[aznboi3644]

SPL meters are not cheap...the better ones need a computer to run.

Might as well get the Boomstick lol

 

[oplitic]

pretty much anything that is going to be semi-accurate are gonna be way over budget. Plus as far as I have seen they don't make one that is like a "sunpro" type of gauge. They are all made to be portable/ connect to a computer. So it's either a big display that goes on the computer or a stand and a mic that goes in the car, or a handheld device, like little bigger then a pda size or so. And it has the buttons, gauge, etc. all together.

You could always rig something up, like break open one that is a handheld and wire in a gauge.

Also they are only to 120 or 130 ish because mics over that are expensive. Cheaper mics will just break.