Whisper Sound Level Test Comparison

It was too windy to do accuracy testing on the Whisper and the Big Cat this weekend so I did the next best thing.  I ran a sound level test comparing each to my RWS 48.  I had not paid much attention to the report either of the guns made and honestly didn't think there was much difference.  However my testing proved the Whisper was approximately 10 dB quieter than the RWS 48 and the Big Cat.  
  I set up my recording studio so that the mic was about the same distance away from the muzzle as the shooter's ear would be, 3 foot in front and ~ 1 foot the the right of the muzzle.  I proceeded to fire three shots back to back from each gun, the RWS 48, then the Big Cat, and lastly the Whisper.  I kept the recording software running throughout the entire process.  When I was done and returned to the PC doing the sound recording, I was surprised to see the shots fired from the Whisper to look so different than the ones fired from the RWS and the Big Cat.

I have a 14 second mp3 sound file with all three guns firing three shots each back to back that's available upon request.  Also, If you're a numbers person and have Excel, take a look at the attached spreadsheet that graphs the sound levels at different frequencies.  It also shows the sound level differences between each gun.

[Gene_SC]

Well Robby, it was very windy over here in S.C. today but not as bad yesterday. I had my Whisper out today shooting targets but the 30 mph gusts did not help out.. So I just worked in the shop..

Great graph and thanks for sharing.

Gene

Gene, of that massive list of guns shown in your signature, which is your favorite gun to shoot?

[Gene_SC]

Robby, For shooting I have to say most all of them. They all give me allot of enjoyment to shoot. Some an easy challenge and others a bit more of a challenge.. One thing I can say is that they all shoot where I point them and that makes me real happy...

As for asthetics I would have to take the wooden stocks over the synthetics.. The biggest air rifle I own now is the TF-89.22 which is just a step above my RWS 34 and 36. I love shooting them. They are so accurate.

Guess I am just a happy guy with lots of nice ladies to shoot... hehe

Gene

[shadow]

Thank's for the sound comparison review Robby and Gene does have a few gal's to take care of doesn't he hehehe. Ed

Yes he does....  But why did he have to be so vague in his answer.  He could have simply said I like to finger this one the most.  LOL

[LPC]

just looking at the the wave peaks of each rifle, the whisper  does look 50% quieter. i have a weak but accurate chinese b1 that is pretty quiet. just a soft thud sound only when it shoots. it just don't have any distance in it. maybe this test might make me think twice about this whisper. thanks for the lab results.

But Robby, if he points to one as his favorite, all the others will get real jealous and won't do their best to please him when he takes them out for a shootin' session. He's just bein' respectful of ALL his ladies-- LOL!!!

Bryan

[nyairman]

Hey Robby, great graph. Thanks for sharing. Can you tell us what software you used? This is some great info.

Greg

The software I used is a free app called "Audacity."  We toy with karaoke and I have a decent mixer and 4 mics all running into a PC so we can record what we sing.  It was too easy to nab a mic and fire a few shots off.  I'll be glad to help you learn all about that stuff as well.  Even the Excel spreadsheet showing the Hz and dB came straight out of the Audacity software.
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Great post!  A new toy (software) to play with is always fun.

[vinceb]

...I don't think you're picking up what the shooter's ear would pick up, simply because you would be picking up less of the powerplant noise (which is considerable).

If you put the mic where the shooter's ear really is, I think you'd find much less of a difference.

I agree.  But I would be picking up more of the noise a critter would hear.  I'll be glad to retest with the mic on the opposite side of the stock.

[vinceb]

...you might wanna try setting the mic out at more of a distance, like 20 yards or so.

It would be interesting to take this a step farther, and mount the barrel in a relatively soundproof barrier and check both sides of it. That way, the relative levels of muzzle and powerplant noise can be compared.

[cf42fwb]

Sooooo,the whisper really is  a quiet??What do your ears tell you???