Radio Shack SPL Meter Stupid Question

[gdsk39a]

When measuring Subwoofer SPL in a room with a Radio Shack SPL meter is the microphone to be pointing towards the ceiling or pointing forward (At the Seating Area)?

Just curious!:no clue:

[tesseract]

It doesn't matter if it is pointed up or down. It is more important that you place it at ear level. I am trying to find the article that backs this up, I think it is on the Real Traps site.

My personal experience has been that the readings are the same either way.

[sbisheff]

I'm pretty sure its supposed to be pointed straight up. All of the setup mics are made to point straight up and I'm pretty sure this is the same way. I have an article here somewhere that talks about it, let me find it ...

[tesseract]

It was in the first place I looked, but I missed it. Here you go: http://www.realtraps.com/art_spl.htm

"Unlike the directional microphones commonly used by singers and radio announcers, SPL meters contain an omnidirectional microphone, so it doesn't matter which way the meter is pointed."

[sbisheff]

Here is a quote from the Real Traps test:

"Although omnidirectional microphones supposedly receive sound equally from all directions, when measuring rooms and loudspeakers the convention is to "aim" the microphone upward. No omni microphone has exactly the same frequency response from all directions, though microphones with tiny diaphragms and slim bodies are often more uniform than larger models. So when balancing loudspeaker volume levels on a surround system, pointing the microphone toward the ceiling favors all of the loudspeakers equally."

[sbisheff]

Funny, they don't really contridict themselves, but sort of :)

[tesseract]

Guess it wasn't such a "stupid" question after all! :D

[Fatcat]

I forget where I read this (possibly AVS) but it recommended setting up the meter at ear level and aiming it up at a 45 degree angle facing the front speakers. Something to due with the omnidirectional nature of the microphone.

Best.....Carlo.

[sbisheff]

I forget where I read this (possibly AVS) but it recommended setting up the meter at ear level and aiming it up at a 45 degree angle facing the front speakers. Something to due with the omnidirectional nature of the microphone.

Best.....Carlo.

That's funny, that's exactly what I do. Don't know why or where I read it but I remember that too. Seems like there's lots of "ways" to do it :peekaboo:

[Mike_TX]

Not directly related to SPL meters, but the Audyssey mics are supposed to aim straight up.
Just did an Audyssey XT calibration at a friends tonight.

Mike

[sbisheff]

Not directly related to SPL meters, but the Audyssey mics are supposed to aim straight up.
Just did an Audyssey XT calibration at a friends tonight.

Mike

Exactly, that's what I was referring to in my first post. I think they're supposed to point straight up :D