Sound Level Meters - 30dba in a silent closet?

The forum for non-component-related silent pc discussions.

Moderators: NeilBlanchard, Ralf Hutter, sthayashi, Lawrence Lee

Post Reply
Pogo
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Aug 10, 2012 4:41 am

Sound Level Meters - 30dba in a silent closet?

Post by Pogo » Fri Aug 10, 2012 4:51 am

Hi Folks,

If my meter won't read below 30dba, how am I to interpret a reading of 43dba when aiming it at my PC?

My closet is a vocal booth treated heavily with thick acoustic foam, and when closed at midnight with everything off, my meter reads around 32dba. But surely this isn't correct. You could drop lint on the carpet and hear it in there. If I move slightly, the meter rises a bit. I'm confused - what does that 30dba really represent?

Is SPCR using meters that can read true silence? If not, are they subtracting the ambient noise and self noise of the microphone from their readings? :?:

Pappnaas
Posts: 726
Joined: Mon May 16, 2011 11:23 am
Location: Germany

Re: Sound Level Meters - 30dba in a silent closet?

Post by Pappnaas » Fri Aug 10, 2012 3:48 pm

Every meter has limits and a error margin. Depending on your model, though. So maybe the manual offers some clues here as to meter range and quality.

NeilBlanchard
Moderator
Posts: 7681
Joined: Mon Dec 09, 2002 7:11 pm
Location: Maynard, MA, Eaarth
Contact:

Re: Sound Level Meters - 30dba in a silent closet?

Post by NeilBlanchard » Fri Aug 10, 2012 6:47 pm

It might not be too far off -- read this article on building an anechoic chamber: http://www.silentpcreview.com/anechoic_chamber_SPCR

In a truly silent place, you can hear your own heartbeat and you cannot hear someone speaking if they are not facing you.

Post Reply