[Roki_014]

I just downloaded an app that is called sound meter it tells you the level of sound in dB for android. I am going to test it today on my way home. I would like to see the difference that we are getting in loudness between our cars. I feel like my car is loud for being a brand new car.

here is how we should test:

Highway speed of 65 MPH ( put the mic in front og your head as if you are going to speak into it, also have the music and air off - report the highest dB number you are getting


what do you guys think?

[zeezz]

Good idea, but there's a wide variety of road conditions and surfaces... You would need people to drive on the same road w/ same tires.

[Roki_014]

Originally Posted by zeezz

Good idea, but there's a wide variety of road conditions and surfaces... You would need people to drive on the same road w/ same tires.

true but at least they can tell us what they have, mine are 19s staggered set up, with all seasons, highways should be smooth everywhere i assume

[EJIB]

At least it gives a general comparison between cars, but mind that
* the apps don't take any smartphone calibration into account (the absolute dB readout therefore is no reference) In my case it reads 72 dB driving 120 Km / Hr or 75 Miles/hr on 'low noise' asphalt and without no wind condition.
* there are multiple kinds of measurements and signal weighs
* the position of measurement should be the same and around the cabine centre of car
* Not the sound level seems annoying but the humming noise (which is a smaller area in the frequency spectrum)
My experience: I measure 10 dB less (= 3 times less) in my F30 but still I find the humming wind noise more intrusive.
Also it looks as wind conditions have more impact than in other cars.

[Jamesons Viggen]

Most mags have the DB measured as part of their testing.

[spicytofu]

The results will vary since there is not calibrated reference. One can show 60 dB and another phone can show 40 dB. Also, its not in a controlled environment so someone can place it in areas where it would be louder. Its not a bad idea if we dont need accuracy.

[Consett Mag]

Roki - Not a bad idea, in that's at least a basic sound level measuring tool. Did you get any results from your testing? Did you alter anything on your car and measure the difference?

There are some youtube videos showing how to sound deaden the doors, which would help reduce cabin sound a little.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by Roki_014

here is how we should test: Highway speed of 65 MPH ( put the mic in front og your head as if you are going to speak into it, also have the music and air off - report the highest dB number you are getting...what do you guys think?

The only way to make a definitive comparison is by using the same measuring gear under identical driving conditions. Even then a simple dB measurement doesn't tell you enough, as your ear does not hear all frequencies at the same level. Lows and highs aren't as easily heard as mid range frequencies. See: Equal Loudness.
For that reason with a simple broadband dB measurement you could have the same level in ten different cars and it would be perceived at ten different levels.

[otay]

Roki, I've also got 2014 335i. It's a Sport Line with 18" Pilot Sport A/S 3. I know this is really subjective, but I think this car is significantly quieter than the Acura TL I came from.

What did you drive before?

[iconoclast]

you need a constant to get the most accurate data.

same road, same day, same time of day, same configuration etc.

otherwise there are too many variables and a large margin of error that makes the data collected fairly inaccurate.