I use an SPM meter on my boat to test any changes in SPL levels due to modifications in the engine room (i.e. gasketing, shft alignment, valve adjustment, insulation) or deckhouse (i.e. carpeting) that impact sound propogation. The vessel is a downeast flybridge cruiser with the deckhouse situated immediately above the engine room.
Good uses for a sound pressure meter?
I bought the $50 Radio Shack digital meter to help with Sub integration using the Stereophile/Chesky test CD. Can't say I was that impressed with the resulting setup and just adjusted by ear. One thing I did notice was this. In the test for "spurious resonance" it starts with high frequency and progresses to low. When I heard fairly dramatic volume drops in certain middle freq. ranges I assumed it was the speakers but when I set up the meter and recorded the db levels there was no drops of significance during those parts . This makes me think that I 'm the one with a crummy frequency response. Comments? Also, if you have any other good ideas for SPM use, let me know. Thanks.