Likes Likes:  0
Needs Pictures Needs Pictures:  0
Picture(s) thanks Picture(s) thanks:  0
Results 1 to 3 of 3
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    27,741

    Default Noise monitoring using smart phone Apps

    Recently I found a comprehensive study on "Evaluation of smartphone sound measurement applications" in the journal of the Acoustic Society of America.
    see Evaluation of smartphone sound measurement applicationsa)

    Here is the Abstract
    This study reports on the accuracy of smartphone soundmeasurement applications (apps) and whether they can be appropriately employed for occupational noise measurements. A representative sample of smartphones and tablets on various platforms were acquired, more than 130 iOS apps were evaluated but only 10 apps met our selection criteria. Only 4 out of 62 Android apps were tested. The results showed two apps with mean differences of 0.07 dB (unweighted) and −0.52 dB (A-weighted) from the reference values. Two other apps had mean differences within ±2 dB. The study suggests that certain apps may be appropriate for use in occupational noise measurements.
    The 4 iPhone apps that meet the criteria are Noise Hunter, NoiSee, SoundMeter, and SPLnFFT.
    The one I have been using is SoundMeter by Faber Acoustical - it cost a whopping $7 but given its accuracy is worth considering over free, less accurate apps

    From the Article
    The evidence suggests that for A-weighted data, SoundMeter is the app best suited for occupational and general purpose noise measurements. In addition to having the smallest mean difference for the A-weighted data, SoundMeter had the narrowest distribution of differences
    And the conclusion
    This study showed that certain sound measurement apps for Apple smartphones and tablets may be considered accurate and reliable to be used to assess occupational noise exposures. Android and Windows developers do not offer apps that meet the functionality needed for occupational noise assessments. Recent developments in the use of crowdsourcing and participatory noise monitoring techniques of environmental noise suggest that these techniques may also be appropriate for use in the occupational environment to improve awareness of workplace noise and help advance the hearing health of workers.
    This does not mean that all the other Apps used on the same phone are not useful for comparative noise measurements, but if you require accuracy and to be able to compare with other users then the above info may be useful.

    This article was published in 2014 so there may be some new Apps out there that have not been tested.

  2. # ADS
    Google Adsense Advertisement
    Join Date
    Always
    Location
    Advertising world
    Posts
    Many





     
  3. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    East Warburton, Vic
    Posts
    1,604

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BobL View Post

    The one I have been using is SoundMeter by Faber Acoustical - it cost a whopping $7 but given its accuracy is worth considering over free, less accurate apps
    That must have been before the review was done, currently showing as $30.99

    image.jpg
    Cheers

    DJ

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    27,741

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Acco View Post
    That must have been before the review was done, currently showing as $30.99
    Sorry I got the price confused with another App.

    I checked my records and see the version I first purchased was V4.0 in 2013 and I paid $20.99 for it.
    Reviews at that rime also rated SoundMeter as one of the most accurate.
    There must have been a dozen or so updates since then.

    I reckon it's still worth $30 if your'e buying it for business / employment related purposes.

    One of the negative things about it is it seems to chew the battery quite heavily compared to other SPL Apps I have used.

    I have compared a number of free iPhone SPL apps with Soundmeter and all have been within 4dB of Soundmeter for frequencies between about 500 and 4000 Hz.
    Some of the free apps differ as much as 10dB outside these frequencies.
    While hardly a rigorous test I have the raw data somewhere - I should plot it up.
    Where ALL (even SoundMeter) mobile phone SPL apps have problems is at very ow frequencies which the mic struggles to pickup.

    If you want to get serious about noise measurement there is a ~$100 calibrated mic you can purchase for the iPhone that will provide an even wider level of frequency performance.

Similar Threads

  1. What phone line to use for extra phone point
    By Reno RSS Feed in forum GENERAL ODDS N SODS
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 28th May 2009, 10:10 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •