Sound Level Meters

So, what is a sound level meter? It's quite simple really, sound level meters are handheld instruments used to measure sound, or noise. And what is noise? Well, that's sound that you, or somebody else, does not want to hear!

Sound level meters come in various shapes and forms, but they have common points. They tend to have a pointy bit at the top to stop the sound reflecting back at the microphone. Some lower cost sound level meters, like our CR306, do not have a pointed top but instead have the microphone on an extension to get it away from the case, again to reduce reflection. This method is used to keep the case design cost down.

See our full range of sound level meters.

Analog or Digital?

Sound level meters are usually digital these days, although there are some analog units of older designs still available, like our CRL 222 available from the Special Offers page. With the lower cost units for simple measurements, many find the analog sound level meter to be easier to use: you can see by eye the variations in level and average it out yourself. More expensive instruments tend to be "integrating", which does this job for you. Digital displays also allow a wider span to be shown whilst still giving the necessary 0.1 dB resolution. It is difficult to show 100 dB span to 0.1 dB resolution on an analog display an inch or so wide. It's easier (and cheaper) to do it digitally.

Which "Type" of Sound Level Meter

Sound level meters are available in various Types or Grades, as defined by the standards IEC 60651, IEC 60804 and ANSI S1.4. This is not the place to go into serious detail about the definitions of the grades (that is explained in clear terms, maybe, in the standards themselves) other than to say that a Type 1 instrument is more accurate than a Type 2.

The grade of sound level meter you choose will usually be defined by the regulations you need to meet. Most regulations for occupational noise measurement (noise at work) require the use of Type 2 sound level meters. In this case there is no need to go to the extra expense of the Type 1. One or two countries do specify Type 1, so do check first. See our health and safety sound level meters.

Many environmental (measuring outside in the environment) noise regulations require the use of a Type 1 sound level meter. Type 1 instruments also tend to measure down to lower noise levels (limited by the cheaper microphone on the Type 2), making them more suitable to the lower levels you tend to get out in the environment. See our environmental sound level meters.

Cheap Sound Level Meter - No Type?

Cheap sound level meters that are any use are hard to come by. The reason is simple: it costs a lot to make a sound level meter that meets the standards. We would not recommend using such a meter for any type of measurements. With a "low cost" Type 2 instrument you know that you are measuring the noise with something that has been designed to a certain standard and that the levels measured will be comparable with those made by a similar meter.

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