Fun Spectrum Analyzers

[davidc]

Back in the 80's and 90's, one of the coolest things you could have for your home "stereo" was a spectrum analyzer. Not the test equipment kind, but the fun kind you could just watch. There are a whole bunch of no-name brands on eBay. I was wondering if anyone has ever tried these? Looking for at least 12 bands per channel, and at least 12 indicator lights for the levels. Pics of the eBay stuff below, and also the two that I have now from way back when.


Kenwood SA-90 from 1982 https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxfwhUoeV2_8aF14_GA8xHNqJZsPHP5Hct?si=RJiIJtQvb9VMfq6s

BSR 4000XR EQ and Spectrum Analyzer https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/H8cAAeSwcwlpCR50/s-l1600.webp

Typical eBay -anybody tried one of these eBay units?

31-Band Stereo Graphics Digital Equalizer Music Spectrum Analyzer for KTV/Home | eBay

KTV/Heim Graphic Equalizer Digital Equalizer Dual 31-Band Spectrum Display. 1 Audio Equalizer. Dual 31-band spectrum. 1 Power Cord. Line Input Impedance：15KΩ. Line Output Impedance：300Q. A good voice for everyone.

www.ebay.com

 

[staticV3]

Typical eBay -anybody tried one of these eBay units?

The YouTube channel Techmoan has tested like 12 of these: https://youtube.com/@techmoan

Taiwanese firm BDS makes really nice units (namely PP-31 and PP-131), available in various housing and LED colors.

They're also available rebranded, e.g. Fun Generation RTA-31.

Techmoan has tested the PP-31 IIRC.

 

[davidc]

Any others? These seem to be the only accurate units out there.

 

[Gary_G]

Fun Generation RTA-31

Spectrum analyser for 31 bands Sensitivity and brightness adjustable, Either 2x XLR In to 2x XLR Out or 2x RCA In to 2x RCA Out, Input impedance: 32 kOhm, Output impedance: 38 ohms, Input sensitivity: Balanced 1 KHz, In 248 mV, THD: 0.006%, Maximum...

www.thomann.co.uk

 

[JeffS7444]

Behringer DEQ2496 offers a whole bunch of toys including RTA display, plus it's also a full-featured equalizer, among other things.

 

[Juhazi]

I use my phone, Android apps. Fun to check live or movie theater sound spl and frequency spectrum

 

[respice finem]

The RME ADI-2 DAC has one, but small.
Foobar2000 has one also, as wide as the monitor or TV screen will allow. Below you see 80 bands, 160 are the maximum.