Where can i find a cheap dB meter?
November 5, 2009 7:56 AM   Subscribe

Where can i find a cheap dB meter that can meter a low dB? (say 30-50 dB)

Hi I recently moved in to an appartment that has a few sound sources that annoy me a lot.

The first problem is that the front door is paper thin and located close the main entrance to the house and that each time someone enters the house I hear the front door slamming very loud. The thing that annoys me the most however is that it gets very noicy when my neighbour use his kitchen faucet.

I have spoke with the local building enviroment regulator that recommended me to try to find a dB meter I can use to see if I am anywhere close to the levels where I can demand that my landlord fix this. According to him between 35-50 dB is the maximum threshold depending on type of sound.

I understand accoustic metering is something that should be left to professionals but I would like to see if I am anywhere close to the threshold levels before spending money and time on a accoustic engineer. Maybe I am just overreacting.

Are there sound meters that can be had reasonably cheaply and can handle low noice. It doesnt have to be to accurate, just enough for me to get an idea if there is any point going forward with this.

Bonus point if I can order it from an EU country.
posted by ilike to Home & Garden (4 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
I have a Phonic PAA3 which goes down to 30 dB, and also does a lot of other stuff. Paid $399 for it.

I mostly use it for the RT60 function, which measures the time of decay of a sound, which gives an idea of the reflectiveness of architectural surfaces.

Nice little toy!
posted by Danf at 8:16 AM on November 5, 2009


If there's a Radio Shack near you, they have relatively cheap sound meters that are accurate enough for your purposes.
posted by ignignokt at 9:48 AM on November 5, 2009


Given that 35db is the approximate volume in a quiet library, I think you may have a tough time making your case at the lower end of your scale.

That being said, an accurate low-level db meter is not going to be one of the cheap ones. Do you know any live sound engineers or AV guys? You may be able to get a loaner of a really nice one for a bit.

If it's just the door that's the problem, your hard earned cash might be better spent on a nice thick (used) solid-core door.
posted by Aquaman at 10:25 AM on November 5, 2009


if you have an iphone, there are some extremely cheap, relatively accurate iphone apps. search for "db" or "decibel".
posted by SeƱor Pantalones at 2:13 AM on November 6, 2009


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