Founded in 1995 by audiologist, Dr. Michael Santucci (Au.D.), Sensaphonics is an R&D company focused on hearing loss prevention for musicians, audio techs, venue staff and others, ranging from NASCAR drivers to space agencies. To help encourage smart listening for IEM users, Sensaphonics now offers the dB Check Pro in-ear sound level analyzer. Described as a “speedometer for your ears,” dB Check Pro is a precision instrument that enables in-ear monitor (IEM) and headphone users to learn how loud they are listening, in real time.
Inserted between the user’s earphones and sound source, the dB Check Pro automatically calculates and displays the monitor mix levels appearing at their earphones. Utilizing patented technology, it provides readouts of both average A-weighted Sound Pressure Level (dBA-SPL) and safe exposure time limits (“Allowable Time”) under both NIOSH and OSHA guidelines associated with that average level. In addition, its integral microphone simultaneously presents the same information for ambient room sound. The earphone and ambient data streams can be viewed separately or simultaneously, providing information to help you monitor more safely. Note: It’s important to emphasize that the dB Check Pro is strictly a measurement device and does not affect the actual signal or sound quality going to the earphones.
The dB Check Pro is factory programmed for use with over 140 earphones and headphones from 12 major manufacturers including: Sensaphonics, Shure, Sennheiser, Sony, beyerdynamic, JH Audio, Audio-Technica, Ultimate Ears, 64 Audio and Westone. Planned firmware updates will keep the dB Check Pro current with new headphone/earphone models in the future.
Let’s Get Listening
My dB Check Pro arrived in a crush-proof Pelican case, which offers substantial protection for this precision instrument. Included with the dB Check Pro is a short 1/8” – 1/8” TRS cable with right angle connectors and a USB charging cable. A convenient quick-start user guide with a safe exposure time chart is attached to the case lid. Scanning the QR code on the quick start guide took me to a more detailed operation guide on the Sensaphonics website (sensaphonics.com).
The compact 2” x 3.5” instrument has a small power switch and USB C charging/firmware update connector located on its side. Two 1/8” jacks and the room sensing mic opening grace the top panel while a convenient belt clip is provided on the backside. A multi-color display touchscreen takes up most of the unit’s front panel. Unlike the familiar capacitive touchscreens found on smart phones and tablets, Sensaphonics chose a pressure-sensitive touchscreen for the display to minimize accidental changes. To use the touchscreen, simply press and hold until the display responds. Once I got used to this mode of operation, I liked it better than some of the overly sensitive (misdials anyone?) touchscreens on other devices.
At the top of the display is a battery fuel gauge, selected earphone/headphone model indicator and a “gear” icon for accessing the setup menu. The display’s main area presents the monitoring information for the IEM and/or the room. If only one is chosen, it will scale to fill the section. The bottom part of the display has the monitoring start/stop buttons along with monitoring time length, time interval setting and real time dBA levels for IEM and Room.
The integral Li-Ion rechargeable battery pack will operate the dB Check Pro for 11 hours from a full charge. Should the battery go flat during use, or the device is turned off, it will still pass audio.
Pick Your Buds…
For the dB Check Pro to provide accurate data, it must first be configured for the specific earphone/headphone model being used. The earpiece dBA-SPL figures are determined by the selected device’s manufacturer-specified sensitivity coupled with the actual in-use signal input voltage measurement. The dB Check Pro captures the averages of these dBA-SPL numbers over the measurement time interval and translates them into “Allowable Time” under NIOSH and OSHA protocols. Sensaphonics notes in the manual that levels and allowable times are only as accurate as the manufacturer’s published specifications.
After charging the dB Check Pro, I programmed it for my studio monitor headphones (ATH-M50). The process was quick and easy. Simply press the “gear” button to enter the setup screen and press the “Select Model” button to open the list of available Brand/Models. Using the Prev/Next buttons I scrolled through the brands until “Audio-Technica” appeared. I pressed “Select” to choose the brand and used the Prev/Next buttons to scroll through the list of “A-T” models. When M50X appeared, I pressed “Select” to choose it and exit the Brand/Model section.
The dB Check Pro averages sound levels over time, so for this test, I set the timer for 15 minutes. Finally, I selected my desired view (both IEM and Room) and pressed “Home” to exit the setup screen.
Connect and Go…
Once I had the dB Check Pro programmed for my M50’s, I connected it to my audio interface’s headphone output using a 1/4” TRS to 1/8” TRS cable. Note: For connecting to an IEM receiver pack, Sensaphonics includes a short audio jumper with 1/8” right angle plugs. I plugged my M50’s into the other jack on the dB Check Pro and was ready to measure. On the home screen, I pressed the Start/Pause button, set my headphone monitor levels and started listening to a mix on my DAW.
After the 15 minutes were up, I looked at the dB Check Pro screen and was pleasantly surprised that my levels were averaging at about 87 dB, which allowed me a good four hours of safe exposure listening time. I programmed the dB Check Pro for my beyerdynamic DT770 Pro’s and ran the test again. Because I tend to listen at a higher level with the beyerdynamics, the dB Check Pro average warned me that my safe exposure time was a lot less than I imagined, so I will be making some changes to how loud I listen through the Beyers.
At the Gig…
A drummer friend recently migrated from stage wedges to an IEM setup with a powerful headphone amp driving his IEM phones. At a recent gig I set him up with the dB Check Pro to see just how loud he was monitoring. After programing the dB Check Pro for his Sennheiser E535 earbuds, I set the timer interval for 60 minutes and connected the dB Check Pro between his amp and earphones.
For the first set, things were fine, and his average dB levels were 89 dB, allowing a safe exposure time of a good four hours. However, things changed in the second set when the band kicked into a high-energy dance medley. I noticed him reaching for the level control on his headphone amp and the dB Check Pro confirmed his actions with the average levels hitting 100 dB! At the end of the set, I showed him the readout and said, “Man at this level you are going to ruin your ears!” His excuse was that something happened to his aux mix feed, but he told me that he will pay more attention to his mix level settings in the future.
The Verdict
The dB Check Pro is a precision instrument, and its $500 street price might be a bit steep for individual performers. However, for organizations including bands, tours, theaters and especially houses of worship that have many IEM users, the shareable dB Check Pro is a worthwhile device for the sound department workbox. Furthermore, the ability to provide IEM users with real data on their actual dBA-SPL level and safe listening times user is much better than simply asking them how loud they are listening.
Hearing is Priceless
dB Check Pro is a precision instrument showing real-time dBA-SPL level and safe listening times for IEMs or headphones
Sensaphonics dB Check Pro In-Ear Sound Level Analyzer
PROS
- Accurate real-time data
- Supports 140 earphone models
- Pressure sensitive touch screen
- No effect on sound quality
CONS
- Pricey for individual performers
SPECS
- Frequency Response: A-weighted, for measurement only
- Dynamic Range, IEMs: 50 to ~130 dBA-SPL (dependent on IEM model selected)
- Dynamic Range, Ambient Microphone: 50 to ~130 dBA-SPL
- Battery: Li-Ion, USB-C rechargeable
- Battery Life: 11 hours per full charge
- Weight: 3.3 ounces
- Size (HxWxD): 3.4 x 1.94 x 1”; full depth is 1.25” including belt clip
- Price: $500
- Includes: Hardshell Pelican case, audio jumper cable, USB charging cable
MANUFACTURER: Sensaphonics
More Info: www.sensaphonics.com/products/db-check-pro
