Db measurer?

camieabz · Dec 23, 2001

What's the best thing for measuring decibels of sound?

I fancy something which I can hold to my system and get a reading.

Nice and cheap please?

~scribble~

<A HREF="http://www.ud.com/home.htm" target="_new">Help cure cancer.</A>

pike · Dec 23, 2001

Really dought you will find something cheap.
Perhaps it's possible to rent. Medical equipment. Safety equipment. Or maybe even under construction work equipment.
By the way you may be able to help in this exact area.
My Epox mobo is in this, most probably cheapo case, and the back fan is so damn loud. It's in my bedroom and even lying down reading it is darn anoying. Any advise as to make, model of a really silent case fan. You forsee any difficulties in changing that or is it strait forward.
Thanks for any input.
Forgot: Atx, midsize real ordinary like

Danny

Electric coolaid for everyone, except me, never touch the stuff !Edited by pike on 12/23/01 02:47 PM.

camieabz · Dec 27, 2001

Try <A HREF="http://www.quietpc.com/casefans.html" target="_new">here</A> for a good quiet solution. Double check the part though, as they supply 3-pin & 4-pin varieties.

<A HREF="http://www.overclock.co.uk/Casefans-sel.php" target="_new">Here</A> is another site I use. Their quiet fans are a bit less in the quality dept. but so is their price.

~scribble~

<A HREF="http://www.ud.com/home.htm" target="_new">Help cure cancer.</A>

camieabz · Dec 29, 2001

bump! No answers.

~scribble~

<A HREF="http://www.ud.com/home.htm" target="_new">Help cure cancer.</A>

OldBear · Dec 30, 2001

Found one. Nice but not cheap.

<A HREF="http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog_name=CTLG&category_name=CTLG_008_021_006_000&product_id=910-5385" target="_new">http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog_name=CTLG&category_name=CTLG_008_021_006_000&product_id=910-5385</A>

Remember.... You get what you pay for.

All advice here is free.

camieabz · Dec 30, 2001

Ahem...

Thanks. Not the price I had in mind, but keep trying. Anything under £100 will suffice.

~scribble~

<A HREF="http://www.ud.com/home.htm" target="_new">Help cure cancer.</A>

OldBear · Dec 30, 2001

Ok. Maybe we need to all chip in and pass it around.

Remember.... You get what you pay for.

All advice here is free.

camieabz · Dec 30, 2001

Yep. All contributions heartily accepted.

Hmmm. As a matter of fact I'm after an Itanium. Well, two to be precise and a...and a...

oops :redface:

~scribble~

<A HREF="http://www.ud.com/home.htm" target="_new">Help cure cancer.</A>

phsstpok · Dec 30, 2001

This is the cheapest I could find in a quick search.

<A HREF="http://www.markertek.com/MTStore/product.CFM?BaseItem=SLM-120" target="_new">http://www.markertek.com/MTStore/product.CFM?BaseItem=SLM-120</A>

Get it at <A HREF="http://www.markertek.com" target="_new">http://www.markertek.com</A>.

Radio Shack also used to sell an analog SPL meter for about $70 (I think) but I don't see it online. Try one of the physical stores (assuming you have them in the UK).

We are all beta testers!

camieabz · Dec 30, 2001

Damn.

You were almost there!!!

Range: 40-80dB. 80-120dB

Unfortunately, PC fans and stuff should be much lower than this if its going to be a quiet system.

Don't give up guys!

~scribble~

<A HREF="http://www.ud.com/home.htm" target="_new">Help cure cancer.</A>

phsstpok · Dec 30, 2001

Oh, about the dB range, I believe dBA measurements are meant to be taken at 1 meter distance from a sound source. You could use the SPL meter at closer range. Just keep the distance and location of the meter consistant for your tests.

I'll keep searching. I'm looking for a cheap SPL meter, myself. I want to properly calibrate my surround sound system and I only need to do that once.

Do you have any surplus electronics stores in the UK? You might find old analog SPL meters there. Everyone wants digital meters these days.

We are all beta testers!

camieabz · Dec 31, 2001

I found one in Maplin for £50. Unfortunatly, it's range is 40-135DB, so its not quite right.

I'll get looking when the shops re-open on the 3rd.

~scribble~

<A HREF="http://www.ud.com/home.htm" target="_new">Help cure cancer.</A>

knowan · Jan 3, 2002

Generally, anything under 35 dB is acceptable, so maybe a range of 40-80 isn't so bad? Of course noise tolerance is completely subjective.

Also you have to look at the range of the sound. Fans are generally low-pitched and because of that humans can tolerate higher dBa's (which would you rather hear, 35 dB's of a low-pitched humming or 35 dB's of fingernails scraping chalkboards?).

At 35 dBa's you'll know the noise is there, but it shouldn't bother you. At 25 dBa's you probably won't even notice it without trying. But of course, everyone has different tolerance levels.

--------------
Knowan likes you. Knowan is your friend. Knowan thinks you're great.

camieabz · Jan 5, 2002

I know what you mean. Thing is, my fans are rated at 20DB, so I want to start from below that.

~scribble~

<A HREF="http://www.ud.com/home.htm" target="_new">Help cure cancer.</A>

Boondock_Saint · Jan 5, 2002

That is what makes the Delta screamers so annoying; their high pitched whine. My Sanyo-Denki is nearly as loud at around 45 dBa, but much more tolerable due to it being a "low roar" rather than a "tablesaw."

:tongue: Have you ever tried cooking an egg on your HSF? Tasty. :tongue:

labdog · Jan 5, 2002

can we find some cheaper ? (maybe old equipment)

if you know you don't know, the way could be more easy.

camieabz · Jan 5, 2002

I've been asking a lot of people, but everyone I know has never had to worry about noise levels. Certainly not in computers anyway.

I still want a new one, at least so I can recommend one and make this thread worthwhile. LoL

~scribble~

<A HREF="http://www.ud.com/home.htm" target="_new">Help cure cancer.</A>

camieabz · Jan 5, 2002

Getting closer the tool, but farther the price!!!

CR:252B Digital Sound Level Meter

Accuracy to IEC-651 (BS EN 60651) Type 2 "General Purpose" grade.
Three measurement ranges spanning 25 to 140 dB(A) and 43 to 140 dB(C) for SPL and Lmax.
Slow, Fast and Impulse time weightings.
A and C frequency weightings.
Momentary sound level (SPL) and maximum sound level (Lmax).
DC and conditioned AC analog outputs. Ideal for connection to Jade 1 (DC output) and Jade 2 (AC output).
3.5 digit LCD with backlight.
Overload, under range, over range, low battery, and display hold indicators.
Powered from 2 x 6LR61 9v cells.
Available individually or as a complete measurement kit with an Acoustic Calibrator.
Price: US$660

~scribble~

<A HREF="http://www.ud.com/home.htm" target="_new">Help cure cancer.</A>

labdog · Jan 5, 2002

you know, what's you [know/not know] about, it's YOUR opinion & it's not universal.
that is very :lol: is that you don't know you don't know.
Ask yourself the question, maybe you'll understand. lol

if you know you don't know, the way could be more easy.

labdog · Jan 5, 2002

but i think there is a manual with ?

if you know you don't know, the way could be more easy.

camieabz · Jan 5, 2002

Now <A HREF="http://www.scantekinc.com/datasheets/nor118.htm" target="_new">this</A> is perfect! No mention of the price, but I'll bet its high.

~scribble~

<A HREF="http://www.ud.com/home.htm" target="_new">Help cure cancer.</A>

labdog · Jan 5, 2002

"The measurement range is then an impressive 20--140dB RMS! Without the need for range setting"

you can't measure under 20dB ?

if you know you don't know, the way could be more easy.

camieabz · Jan 5, 2002

Shouldn't need to. If I take a measurement in 'normal' room conditions, and then get things going, any differences above 20DB will be easily measured. I just neede to get nice and low first.

I wonder how much that one costs? Probably about $1500 or something.

~scribble~

<A HREF="http://www.ud.com/home.htm" target="_new">Help cure cancer.</A>

labdog · Jan 5, 2002

but a HSF noise is not around 20dB for some ?

if you know you don't know, the way could be more easy.

camieabz · Jan 5, 2002

<A HREF="http://www.quietpc.com/cpucooling.php" target="_new">Here</A> is the HSF I use. The radial fin one.

And I use the 80mm case fans <A HREF="http://www.quietpc.com/casefans.html" target="_new">here.</A>

~scribble~

<A HREF="http://www.ud.com/home.htm" target="_new">Help cure cancer.</A>

Db measurer?

Splendid

Splendid

Splendid

Splendid

Splendid

Splendid

Splendid

Splendid

Splendid

Splendid

Splendid

Splendid

Distinguished

Splendid

Distinguished

Distinguished

Splendid

Splendid

Distinguished

Distinguished

Splendid

Distinguished

Splendid

Distinguished

Splendid

Share this page