Sound Level Meter Performance

Abstract

In the past decade, the increasing use of sound level meters in industry has fully demonstrated their value. However, with this increasing use, there has grown a more critical attitude with respect to their relative performance. A fundamental criticism, particularly in the case of noise acceptance measurements, has been the frequently observed lack of agreement among sound level meters of different manufacturers, though calibrated to the same reference level and otherwise fulfilling the performance requirements of the ASA. This paper discusses the factors responsible for this condition. Suggestions are advanced relative to the elimination of the tolerable deviations in frequency response of the standards that should aid materially in clarifying and improving the existing situation. In addition, the results of advances in the direction of improving the stability or constancy of performance of sound level meters are presented.