Korea, Republic of
Very
good
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Sound Meter – Turns your smartphone into a noise detector
Tested version: 1.4.3
Latest version: 1.5
Requires Android: from 2.0
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Summary
What might sound like soothing Bossa Nova standards to some comes across irritating noise pollution to others. If one of your neighbours is a tone-deaf musician or your co-worker thinks its cool to have full blast grindcore leaking from their headphones, and you've complained but not gotten through to anyone, why not try a smart tool that allows you to measure sound? This why you have scientific evidence (more or less) to back up your complaints. For more details, check out our review of Sound Meter, an application that turns your smartphone into a portable, well erm, sound meter!
Features & Use
Section rating:
Even if you're not out to catch your noisy neighbours in the act, a sound meter is an interesting tool to tote around with you, especially when it comes in the form of an app for your smartphone. Despite what was said the this review's teaser, it is important to bear in mind that Sound Meter is not a scientifically accurate tool, as the developers point out in the app description. This is due to the hardware technology of smartphones—you can only do so much sound measuring using said instruments. The Samsung Galaxy S2 can measure up to 98dB, whereas the Galaxy S can only go up to 81dB. So, Sound Meter's performance is partially contingent on the hardware it's being run on.
Sound Meter has a great design: easy to follow and easy on the eyes (in so far as this can be said about app graphics). A list shows a different range of volumes:
- 110 dB: Loud music (e.g. Rock), screaming babies
- 100 dB: Trains, blow dryers
- 90 dB: Factory machines at 90 cm distance
- 80 dB: Street life, alarm clocks
- 70 dB: Street noise
- 60 dB: Conversations at normal noise levels, at 90 cm distance
- 50 dB: Calm office settings, calm streets
- 40 dB: Residential areas, parks
- 30 dB: Whispering at 90 cm distance
- 20 dB: Rustling leaves, clocks ticking
Measurements may be calibrated, settings adjusted and you may update to the pro version via the menu button.
As for settings options:
Upside-Down-Mode: The display flips around so that you can point the mic at the sound source.
Pro version only: Line charts and more.
Bottom line:
Sound Meter is a great tool for informal sound measuring. Please remember that its performance is coupled to your smartphone's hardware. That said, it performed really well during our test runs, picking up soft whistling sounds to louder traffic jam type sounds.
Screen & Controls
Section rating:
Sound Meter has a neat design and updates automatically every second. A great overview graphic is provided at the end, and the app can be calibrated.
Controls are easy and intuitive.
Price/Performance Ratio
Section rating:
Sound Meter is free and available from the Play Store. To help finance the app ad banners are integrated, but they're not bothersome. If you like the app and want to support the devs, or want more features, check out the pro version for EUR 0.74.
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Sound Level Meter is in the 4th set of the Smart Tools collection (noise). SPL(sound (...)
Sound Level Meter is in the 4th set of the Smart Tools collection (noise). SPL(sound (...)
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Market Comments
A Google User, May 15, 2013
Beneficial Good
A Google User, May 15, 2013
Calibration Not sure how to calibrate it correctly
A Google User, May 15, 2013
Good app Cumulative measures would be a good feature
A Google User, May 15, 2013
Great app... Awesome way to see how loud your music or your neighbors...
A Google User, May 15, 2013
Useless in a smatphone As it is explained the mic only captures 80db
A Google User, May 15, 2013
Hoang Good
A Google User, May 14, 2013
Fab Fab
A Google User, May 14, 2013
Nice app Very much fluctuating
A Google User, May 14, 2013
LG 4X Handy tool and good for searching A/Cs and air purifiers before purchasing.
A Google User, May 14, 2013
Helpful I downloaded it to test the relative sound level of a compressor I purchased.
A Google User, May 14, 2013
A Good App To Have Works well for a db reader.
A Google User, May 14, 2013
Good app Still want to test against sound meter. So far good thou
A Google User, May 14, 2013
Good application It does exactly what it is meant to do
A Google User, May 14, 2013
Very Good so far I play in a Rock Band so it will be interesting next practice when I try this app out
A Google User, May 13, 2013
Handy little tool Well done
A Google User, May 13, 2013
Great Works well.
A Google User, May 13, 2013
Good Like the app.. Easy to use
A Google User, May 13, 2013
Works
A Google User, May 12, 2013
Nice. Lightweight and simple to use. Seems to be calibrated fairly well for Galaxy Tab 2
A Google User, May 12, 2013
Does what it is supposed to do Very happy with quality.
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