Hi all,
 
So I'm trying to take a bit more care of my hearing. I know it's not in great shape and I know that I can't fix the damage done over four decades, but I do want to stop making it worse!
 
I'm trying to measure the SPL of my various IEMs when connected to my DAPs and work out the ideal volume settings accordingly. I will try to listen for the most part at 85db or less, but occasionaly increase to say 95db for a favourite song.
 
At my disposal I have a basic sound level meter and I also have the Vibro Veritas and I'm wondering if there would be a way of using them in conjunction with something like REW to take some readings. The problem is for the life of me, I can't work out how I would do that  
 
Alternatively I was thinking I could put the tip of the IEM up close to the SPL meter and take a reading like that, but how close do I get the nozzle to the mic? Having it touching gives drastically different results from having it a millimetre away for example.
 
Any help or advice with this little quest of mine would be greatly appreciated.    

Guess at a crude method. 
 
If you have a mic that is or can be calibrated for free air measurements with REW, then try the following.
 
Use REW to set say a 75 db signal over a speaker on your right side (measurement taken just in front of your right ear).  With the IEM in your left ear, play the same signal thru it until both sides sound of equal loudness.  I might suggest pink noise filtered for 200 hz-8 khz content.  You'll need to work out how to setup connections for the signal etc.  When you get an adjustment on the headphone amp that matches signal level you measure the voltage output of the amp.  You can work it out from there.
 
I doubt this is super precise.  It should be at least ballpark.  Should be better than nothing. 
 
Hopefully someone here knows a better method.

I am surprised no one has some other better ideas on how to accomplish this. 

spruce music said:

I am surprised no one has some other better ideas on how to accomplish this. 

Click to expand...

There have been some good suggestions on the Vibro Veritas thread

http://www.head-fi.org/t/777533/vibro-veritas-measuring-our-iems-like-a-pro-with-amateur-budget/0_100#post_13162309


It's a little beyond my technical understanding at present, but I have ordered myself a multimeter and will start playing around this weekend