Decibel X:dB Sound Level Meter Reviews

by AcousticsProf

DecibelX name is dB, dBA Noise Meter but what the developer doesn't tell us is that DecibelX only reads Z-weighted decibels (dBZ) and not A-weighted decibels (dBA) in the free version. All the guidelines and standards say to measure noise levels in dB(A) as A-weighted decibels correspond to human hearing. So it's really misleading to the public who don't know any better.

dB(Z) levels are typically 10 decibels or more higher than dB(A) so people are always getting the wrong readings, unless they purchase the A-weighted portion. No explanation is provided, it's truly a disservice to people who think they're getting a good reading of their noise environment. Remember, a 3 dB increase in level means double the energy that reaches the ear, so 10 dB at the ear is a huge difference.

Developer should make this information available to the public. They benefit from their top ranking on DecibelX store but forget they are spreading misinformation by not explaining to the public the difference between dBZ and dBA. I will gladly pay $10 for an app that provides readout in A-weighted decibels.

by Bleufyre

So last week I downloaded this to just check noise levels at a public function. Upon downloading it said I can try it for three days, after which it will charge me. So I say ok, I just need it for like 5 minutes, I’ll try it and go from there. It asks me for my Touch ID which usually happens before downloading apps. Next thing I know, they charged me 5.30$ for a monthly subscription! I immediately went on DecibelX , canceled my ‘subscription’ and try to contact customer service, but no response and they’ve still charged me. It’s been 6 days, no response. How can one let this happen? What is this?

by 4ndr0

Provided DecibelX is calibrated properly when you set it up, it’s pretty accurate in isolated areas like calibrating a turn table or checking a receiver for accuracy. However, a bunch of unrelated sounds events taking place at the same time throws DecibelX off. Instead of giving you an average for the space you’re in, it just fluctuates based on individual sounds it picks up. For example, I value my hearing because I’m a musician. When I go to loud concerts I wear earplugs.

At a recent Korn concert I wanted to decide if I was far enough away that I wouldn’t damage my hearing or leave the venue with ringing ears. I tried DecibelX , but I got numbers from people talking behind me, the band, clapping, so I wasn’t able to get an accurate reading. The meter jumped from 50db to 80db at a Korn concert where I was about 100 feet from the stage. While it wasn’t hitting over 100db or heaven forbid 120db, I chose to wear earplugs and I was the only one in my group to not leave with ringing ears.

In summary, DecibelX is really great for isolated spaces, but it has trouble handling multiple sounds from multiple sources and giving you a stable number to work with. I don’t recommend it for harm reduction at a concert event, but I do recommend it for checking your speaker levels, calibrating your receiver, or anything audio related that is in a quiet testing area.

by Rallyfan1234567890

I don’t need DecibelX, but the net in me loves it. I’d probably start it once every few weeks if even months and I cannot justify the subscription price. I’d buy it on an impulse if there was a flat fee like most other utilities. This is not a “service” that can be paid for as we go, just a utility app and a fixed-cost license to use it would be more appropriate. It is certainly not worth $60 per year every year and forever, this is literally a quarter the cost I pay for the gigantic Adobe Creative Suite which includes Photoshop, Premiere Pro, AfterEffects, Illustrator, Lightroom, Acrobat, and a dozen other apps.

by Erika Schanz

The main feature I was looking for when I paid for DecibelX was the ability to overlay the decibel info over video. DecibelX does that but promises that with the Pro version you can record videos longer than 15 seconds. There is a glitch that doesn’t allow this even after you pay for DecibelX . It just keeps operating like you need to subscribe to Pro and cuts off after 15 seconds.
Disappointing and frustrating for the needs I purchased it for.

by Capt. Gizmo

Developer responded to notify me that the new version works on the XS MAX. Glad to say it does. Unfortunately, the one time I needed it in months and months, was before it was fixed. Oh well, it’s a great utility though and nicely laid out.

I can’t stand the ad header though. Holding back Pro features is fine, but I detest “ad removal” ransom on any app. This is mainly because it’s a distraction from the UX and, hopeful, thoughtful design that developers have poured into their apps...only to have them butchered by some ugly banner flying over part of their work.

by Elizabeth300

This is a good app, does exactly what its supposed to. It ranks the decibels in what space you would hear them at, for example a quiet whisper or home, a subway, food blender, or even rocket launch. I would recommend DecibelX even though I don’t use very much at all.(No pressing need to know the decibels I’m hearing ever) My one suggestion is to add facts about our hearing, like when a human would lose their hearing or hear ringing. It has the threshold of hearing labels on the chart, but more facts like that would be nice.

by Treynolds57

I’ve used a couple sound meter apps over the last few years along with a commercial quality sound level meter. I would put this up there with the best of what I’ve used. This review is for the purchased, “pro” version of the software. That I can pay $4.99 and use the processing capabilities of my iPhone in leu of spending $150+ on a professional, stand-alone meter blows my mind.

The level of detail shown in the various portions of the screen offer a broad range of information to the user. You get both numerical and graph output as well as dial analog output of minimum and maximum readings, duration, etc.

One quibble is that when I pause the meter and reset it, it asks if I really want to, which is okay, but immediately restarts the sound reading, even if I don’t want it to. Also, I’d like for a reset to take the meter back to “0”. It restarts at the prior average. I would like to see these twin issues corrected, and I’d then give DecibelX 5 stars.

by Patrickl27

Update: based on the developer's feedback, I re-downloaded DecibelX . Turns out that you can skip the subscription, by clicking the light-gray "x" in the top right corner. It's a slightly hostile UI though, would be better with a big "no thanks" button, or at least a much more easily visible option to not subscribe (even for the trial subscription for a few days)

Original review: DecibelX is not free, and not remotely worth a recurring subscription

by Conradb212

We live in a nice place, but have highway sound issues. So I contemplated buying an expensive sound meter to analyze the situation, but found that Decibel X on my iPad Pro does the job just as well or better. I gladly bought the full version. There are three things I’d like to see, the first easy, the other I am not sure are possible:

1) Add db labels to the Y axis in playbacks
2) Might it be possible to switch between db weightings in playback?
3) Might it be possible to display a curve that shows the AVERAGE of all db samplings of a recording at each Hertz range, with adjustable sampling intervals?

by RealAdvisor

Years ago I lost my high tones from being in the music business, competitive shooting and hunting without ear protection, whch at the time was something not known to me.

My daughter and wife finally got exasperated with my asking “Huh, what did you say?”

So they had me go to an audiologist who determined I did have significant hearing loss of the high tones, literally crashing off the chart. Having compensated for 19 years, it was time for hearing aids. For $6,000, great improvement shown. I’m due for new aids, another $6K.

So, for the past 10 years I have spoken with some 50-60 young folks who blast music in their vehicles. I put the DecibleX app on my iPhone and demonstrate that they are ranging from the 90s to over 120 decibels. They were unaware of the damage they were causing to themselves and in some instances their children.

Everyone has been nice and thankful that I’ve brought this to their attention and saved them their hearing and some $$$.

Let’s pass it on!!!

by S.O.B. Class 1

I didn’t expect this to have the ability to change weighting, I’m super happy it does. I design and build subwoofer enclosures on the side and have wanted the ability to have a baseline for each design. While I doubt this stacks up to even the SPLlab Mini, it’s at least a way to gauge the difference between designs. The mini box I just got done building for a single Kicker Comp SVC metered at 122.

by Woofersub

Developer just one request! Can you extend the frequency analyzer down to 30 or maybe even 20hz? I know that may mess up the scaling but maybe even just as an “infrasound” or “low frequency” option.

DecibelX is great. I haven’t had a chance to compare it to a professional meter yet but in my experience it’s been a consistent and reliable tool that I’ve found myself reaching for more and more. For example did you know that enough time on the Tube could be causing you hearing damage? Or if you’re ever at a gig or bar do you wonder just how much sound you’re exposed to?

by Agnessss12

I was not aware how important my hearing was to me till my daughter, whom is a doctor brought to my attention about my hearing. she mentioned to me I don’t seem to be hearing so well. It dawned on me that at work. I work with a lot of loud machine (I’m a cook). I proceeded to looked up a free Doppler to help me judge sounds around me. It’s important to me that I keep my hearing about me, well into my 90’s., if I live that long. I carry w/ me now at all times ear plugs for my safety! Thank goodness for the free Doppler device!

by CrazyGamer330

Having a decimal meter on your phone is so important in today’s very loud world if you want to protect your hearing. The high levels of sound in exercise classes, gyms, movie theaters, restaurants, sporting events, concerts can all be extremely damaging to hearing, even with very brief exposure. With DecibelX you can check your environment instantly and know whether you should protect yourself with earplugs or remove yourself entirely. It’s excellent and I highly recommend it. It works great!

by The Real Vossome

I had a high-pitched ringing noise in my daughters room that was related to some sort of electrical interference, so quiet you could confuse it for tinnitus, and DecibelX was able to not only confirm I wasn’t crazy by clearly showing it as a spike on the audio waveform, but also was sensitive enough that I could pinpoint the location of the cause behind the wall to within a foot. Probably also good for sound engineers 😂

by LRS71

I was never impressed with my Denon 5.1 sound. I ran the auto set up multiple times with the small microphone in different viewing areas.
After reading an article, I used DecibelX, along with physical distances of each speaker to the viewer. Wow, day and night. Much better surround sound. My understanding is to bring all speakers to an equal level by adjusting the individual dbl of each speaker on the amp, using DecibelX to measure the output. I had to lower the front to match the rear, however you can increase the volume once you are done balancing your system.

by Tickntime

I use this to monitor our church services during praise and worship. It has been very helpful in determining hot spots in our sanctuary as well as tune or room with correct speaker arrangement. This them allowed us to eliminate or greatly reduce the hot spots in our sanctuary. A more consistent sound level prevents the desire to just pump music at a higher level. Higher decibels doesn't improve sound it just makes the problem worse.
I would suggest DecibelX for anyone needing a highly accurate decibel meter.

by Joel Norvell

I can’t help but give Decibel X a five star rating. But the truth is it’s a dead end. There is zero documentation for the software (except for the hints provided on screen which are helpful but insufficient). The support tab doesn’t load anything, and there is no connection with any community of users to enable people to develop skills in acoustics using the software. Sadly, it is also impossible to contact the developers. Fortunately, there is a great alternative which has none of these limitations. So I’m switching over to it now.

by Tzer

I am a full-time professional audio engineer. I have run sound for a virtual who’s who in rock ‘n’ roll R&B, blues, funk, Motown, bluegrass, and for the most part country. I am currently working for a band that are Sony recording artist. The decibel meter does exactly what it should and does it well. I have paid many times this price for DB meters in the past that We’re just as accurate but nowhere near as convenient. This one is always at arms length when I need it … i’ve been using it for a year or so and I am submitting this review just to let you guys know how convenient,easy and accurate DecibelX is to use.

JTJ

by Leinad Namrednim

I agreed to the 3 free day trial offered when I first opened DecibelX . After trying it (I thought for a few minutes) I went to my subscriptions to cancel it so I wouldn’t be charged in 3 days and realized I had cancelled a full months membership which I had been charged instead of free trial. I asked Apple for refund due to mistake but Apple doesn’t refund purchases anymore so I got scammed out of a months membership I will not use because I didn’t want it and immediately deleted off my phone so as not to be scammed out of anymore funds.....big time regret on ever downloading DecibelX, BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Plug Ping

I was not aware how important my hearing was to me till my daughter, whom is a doctor brought to my attention about my hearing. she mentioned to me I don’t seem to be hearing so well. It dawned on me that at work. I work with a lot of loud machine (I’m a cook). I proceeded to looked up a free Doppler to help me judge sounds around me. It’s important to me that I keep my hearing about me, well into my 90’s., if I live that long. I carry w/ me now at all times ear plugs for my safety! Thank goodness for the free Doppler device!

by SSNarnia

This is a good app, does exactly what its supposed to. It ranks the decibels in what space you would hear them at, for example a quiet whisper or home, a subway, food blender, or even rocket launch. I would recommend DecibelX even though I don’t use very much at all.(No pressing need to know the decibels I’m hearing ever) My one suggestion is to add facts about our hearing, like when a human would lose their hearing or hear ringing. It has the threshold of hearing labels on the chart, but more facts like that would be nice.

by Rooster#1

DecibelX found its way on my phone 4 years ago and although it wasn’t the best performing app at the time, I didn’t replace it. It worked adequately for my needs. Today November 2019, the dB Meter is quite improved and I can recommend it to all who have a need for such a device. Basically, a dB phone meter is at the mercy of it’s ability to interact with the mic on the phone. IMO, the makers of DecibelX have sorted this issue. I’m on an iPhone 8 currently.

by Beckyboo-5

Our use DecibelX to quantify the complaint “it’s too noisy”. It allows me to put a number on how noisy a thing is so that I can compare it to how it sounds after I fix the noise, or to the sound of my normal speaking voice. The graphic display is useful for showing someone how loud it is, or isn’t. The best way to improve DecibelX would be not to have pop up ads, that is an unreasonable expectation on a free app!

by Kfab12

DecibelX is easy to use and understand. Comparing it to the decibel meter I have from Radio Shack they are very close. It’s like comparing one temp thermometer to another, the usually don’t match but one degree or very close is good enough and that was the same when holding the two decibel meters side by side. Spend the $1.99 and get rid of those ads. I consider this decibel meter accurate (or in the ballpark) and dependable.

by TSNewhart

We needed a sound level meter to measure some barely audible mechanical sounds in an aircraft cockpit. DecibelX worked perfectly. We then used it to measure extremely high sound levels to test passive sound attenuation of various combat helicopter flight helmets. Again DecibelX provided extremely accurate and therefore useful data. Excellent piece of software. Highly recommended.

by Jon314159265

Press “Restore Purchases” every time I want to use an app that I paid for, or agree to a subscription??? Just annoying. But it looks to be fixed now. So that’s good. Accuracy seems reasonable, and I actually like the unweighted option. Also helpful to confirm that my kid is super loud and my stereo isn’t, which validates my position in a long standing family debate.