Good or meh?

[modskwod 10+ year member]

I'm new to metering my setups, previously I just went by ear, so I have no idea as to what is a good score for any subs. When someone brings up a score, I just keep quiet so I don't make an idiot of myself. Anyways, just measured my latest setup and want to know if it's any good for what it is. It's a single 8 AQ Street duty series, in about .9 cubic feet tuned to around 39-40 hz running off of about ~350 watts. I just measured it and it said it hit 122db's, but I'm not so sure if the score was accurate because I used an old radioshack spl meter I had laying around. So there you go, feel free to comment however you wish.

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[theMessenjah44 10+ year member]

that's probably the lowest score I've heard posted up, however you're talking about a single 8 and not on the Term Lab, might want to find out about using one at some point

 

[power-fanatic07 5,000+ posts]

cool story broham

 

[modskwod 10+ year member]

that's probably the lowest score I've heard posted up, however you're talking about a single 8 and not on the Term Lab, might want to find out about using one at some point

Yeah, I didn't know if it's reliable cuz it's radioshack and about 3 years old. All i know is it's the loudest 8 i've heard. Because it's the only 8 i've heard lol.

 

[jpexpc 10+ year member]

Are you looking for SPL? If you're happy then who cares but if you're in it to win it then you definitely have some work to do. 140's is respectable, 150's is bragging rights and 160's is down right nuts.

 

[westman995 10+ year member]

This gives me a chance to ask a question.. I got one of those piece of shit meters from wal mart laying around.. How far off can those things be?

And do you think the little thing would be decent just for seeing which car is louder in comparing two. Obviously the score isnt accurate, but would it be good enough to know which one is louder?

I tried that thing on my DD 1508s running 125 rms to each in a hatch and it said i think 127 or so, dont think it was 137 atleast.. I know theyre underpowered right now too tho.

 

[theMessenjah44 10+ year member]

if it's the one I'm thinking of, they only go up to like 130 dbs and are inaccurate as hell

 

[westman995 10+ year member]

if it's the one I'm thinking of, they only go up to like 130 dbs and are inaccurate as hell

O wow only 130db? How gay haha.. I knew they would be inaccurate. I would love to get an actual meter, or use one sometime. Right now my shit isnt worth putting on a real meter til i can get my box built and a real amp on the subs.

 

[jpexpc 10+ year member]

This gives me a chance to ask a question.. I got one of those piece of shit meters from wal mart laying around.. How far off can those things be?
And do you think the little thing would be decent just for seeing which car is louder in comparing two. Obviously the score isnt accurate, but would it be good enough to know which one is louder?

I tried that thing on my DD 1508s running 125 rms to each in a hatch and it said i think 127 or so, dont think it was 137 atleast.. I know theyre underpowered right now too tho.

Yes and no. There are way too many variables when you start switching between vehicles. Testing gains and losses by changing things within the same car would be much more feesible.

 

[westman995 10+ year member]

That makes sense. And i just checked, that meter will only go up to 135 db.. Atleast i can use it to do some testing in my car to see whats loudest since im going to be building a box and all that..

 

[jpexpc 10+ year member]

Usually non-TL meters read high but 122db's? I understand it's a single 8 but I don't even know if there could be any noticeable bass in there at all. I'm not trying to be arrogant but if I were you I would disregard that number and wait until you can get a legitimate score. I haven't been to many competitions so I could very well be wrong though.

 

[westman995 10+ year member]

I dont know the difference between the DBs since ive not ever measured them or anything or been around that stuff. But with that thing i got only read about 127 if i remember correctly. And its pretty loud inside the car.

 

[jpexpc 10+ year member]

I'd say find a competition or shop in your area that uses a TL and know for sure.

 

[Immacomputer 10+ year member]

I've had one of those meters read 125dB and then a 142dB on an older AC mic. Those are not good at all for getting accurate readings. The weighting will also make a difference -- make sure it's on flat.

Those mics are really only good at measuring relative levels based on frequency. They're good to get a low volume idea of what your response looks like but they aren't accurate for shit once you come close to maxing them out.

 

[blazeplacid 10+ year member]

people on here will bs you to think that unless you are running a set up that does 145db+ daily you dont have crap

I have never metered any of my set ups

no reason to really

I guess im more of an SQ guy, but I still like big ported, low tuned set ups