REED Instruments R1920 Sound Level Meter, Compact Series

This meter was recommended to me by an audio scientist on our team because he was using the one I needed. He said this was an inexpensive alternative to the one he had in the lab, and that he would be happy to have it after I was done with it. It was easy to use, and made the measurements I needed. I like the long integration period option for more accuracy.

The media could not be loaded.  One is 4x more expensive than another. It is smart to buy one of these

If you’re going to be serious about verifying audiophile quality of your set up, you must have an SPL meter on hand to fine tune your system or set up. This is a great tool that allows you to observe fast or slow measurements of dBs.

I got this because I wanted to see what wall in my master bedroom was the most effected by my neighbors hot tub motor; I.E. The loudest. It was easy to tell standing and listening that the loudest section was coming from where the outside wall and ceiling meet; suggesting that the sound was migrating through the empty roof overhang and into the room via the attic.I needed to know exactly where the greatest noise intrusion was so I would know where to have my contractor use spray foam and sound deadening drywall (which is very expensive).The instruction manual (I am being very generous by calling this small sheet of paper a manual), basically it just stated; use the on/off to turn it on/off. There was NO instructions or suggestions on how to use it, where it would be best to use it or what the numbers meant. Apparently the maker (REED) just figured anyone buying this is an expert at using these instruments.The digital reading bounced all around. It would start off at 69 or so finally settle down at 39. The outside wall measured 39-40 thing-a-ma-giggers. I then tried an inside wall. It measured exactly the same. In fact just about every wall measured the same. Only by opening a window was the numbers higher.My ears told me it was much louder the closer I got to the ceiling and the closer I got to the side of the room that faced the hot tub. This REED "instrument" couldn't tell that.It was totally useless!Perhaps I was using it wrong; but again, there were no instructions. I'm not completely a dunce, so I could figure the higher the number, the more noise. So using that premise, this instrument didn't work.I got it as a Christmas gift I asked for.My wife is sending it back.

1. the unit is cheap manufacture material2. Doesn't read "C" Weight3. Doesn't have bottom tread female for tripod4. to much expensive, for what you can better do with 30 bucks DB meter.

Good product. Good delivery & service.

I returned this to the vendor because I failed to notice that it did not have a “C” weighting response curve.The meter itself was as advertised and worked well, the error was mine in not noticing the issue for my use.