Customer Reviews

Sinometer JTS1357 Digital Sound Level Meter

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sinometer JTS1357 Digital Sound Level Meter

This device is easy to learn and operate; there are only five [control] buttons:

1. On/off button. Turns device on or off.

2. "Level" selects one of five dB range choices: 30-130, 30-80, 50-100, 60-110, 80-130. (The Amazon ad lists four choices, so I must have received a newer model.) Presumably, a range other than 30-130 has increased accuracy within that range. However, my meter showed the same reading when it was set to the widest spread (30-130), so that's where I keep it.

3. "Max" toggles between Max on and Max off. If on, the digital readout shows the highest dB encountered, since Max was turned on. If off, the digital readout fluctuates (as per the fast/slow setting) depending on the ambient sound level.

4. "A/C" toggles between A & C. A is weighted for general sound level measurements. C is weighted for checking the low frequency content of sound. Unless you're a sound engineer, just leave it on the default: A

5. "Fast/Slow" toggles between "fast" & "slow". Fast is for normal measurements or for sound bursts (displays just over three reading per second). Slow is for checking average level of fluctuating sound (displays one reading per second.) When Max is "off", you can see the device instantly react to sounds; once or three times per second, depending on the Fast/Slow setting.

The device displays decibels via a 4-digit LCD readout, to a tenth of a dB (e.g., 118.2), and a simulated digital sweep meter readout. The sweep readout isn't very useful IMO, since it moves too fast to read accurately.

The Max feature, on the other hand, is extremely useful. Simply place the meter at the preferred distance from the sound source with Max on. When done, the loudest sound is displayed in dB.

If a sound is louder than the range the meter is set to, an "over-load" light flashes. There's also an "under-load" light if the sound is quieter than the lowest end of the selected range.

Here are four sound test examples:

1. The quietest room in our house (basement rec room with carpet), where the only thing I could hear was a ticking clock: 33.5 dB. After putting the clock under a pillow, the silent room read 32.4 dB. Had to stop breathing during the test, as that showed 38 dB (at 5 feet distance).

2. My wife's loudest [deafening] scream at 5' away: 118 dB (I wore ear plugs for this test).

3. Playing my trumpet as loud as I can, 5' from meter: 114.4 dB

4. Not a scientific test, but on several TV shows tested, nearly all of the ads were louder than any part of the show itself, by 3 to 6 dB.

The meter back has a threaded brass insert for the device to be mounted on a tripod. There are also three jacks; one for using transformer power instead of the batteries; plus AC & DC output jacks for engineers and hobbyists. The molded case is useful for storage and transportation protection. The included foam ball that fits over the receiver end is only needed if the device is used during high winds. Needs 4 AA batteries (included), which are supposed to last 30 hours. The meter appears to be of high quality.

Highly recommended if you need (or just want) a sound meter!

This digital sound level meter is simple, inexpensive and it works very well. My company uses this device to determine if a product that we produce is within acceptable noise levels during our final testing phase. The hold feature works as it should and the reaction time of the device is practically instantaneous. The plastic case and foam insert is equally as nice. I definitely recommend this product.

These meters work well for the price. They can come imprinted with a few different brand names too, depending upon where bought. Smart Sensor may have sold the first units. Extech now has a rebranded one of these too but at a much higher markup.
I like that they use 4AA batteries rather than 9V batteries, including NiMH rechargables. But the battery lid screw design sucks; you need a small screwdriver and the tiny screw tends to fall off when changing batteries. That could be easily changed with a different non-removable screw though.
I use a Smart Sensor 834 branded variant for not much more cost that also includes datalogging memory for over 43,000 individual 1-second measurements (that are time-stamped too.) Set it outside and it will collect 12 hours of sound level readings. These meters come reasonably accurately calibrated from the factory too; both that I tested were within about 0.3 dBA of the 94.0 dBA reference 1000 Hz tone that my Bruel & Kjaer acoustic calibrator emits... and that small difference may have been due to my 3000 foot elevation above sea level.
Overall I'm pleased. These units are rugged enough and are easy to use.

I bought this product because I'm doing a masters thesis on acoustics/loudness in specific venues. I was looking for a product that was easy to use, fairly small, and easy to assemble. I found that I bought it at a great price and I have gotten a lot of use out of it. And ladies, it fits in a purse, which is great! It saves me the feeling of embarrassment from strangers when I am doing field work! This is a very compact product...not clunky at all. Perfect for on the go research/measurements

The meter is very easy to use. The large digital display is nice. The microphone pickup is a bit sensitive to direction. The sound pickup openings are on the very tip of the probe, underneath the round foam wind screen, and facing in the direction of the long axis of the probe (think of looking through a paper towel roll). So if you tilt it slightly up, down, or to the side from a direct line-of-sight to the sound source you will get different readings. They could have made a more omni-directional pick up. Other than that I'd say it's a good meter for the price. Shipping was fast. I would buy it again as an entry-level meter.

Have had this about 2 years, and it is still working great. Excellent product for the money. Comes in a nice case for easy storage.

Item seems to work as it should. Had to change cells after a couple of day's use. I would not recommend at the present price as you can buy the same item on ebay for around $36.00.