For the design of this DATS V3 speaker tester, Dayton Audio keeps everything that users liked about its previous version while improving its accuracy, capabilities, reliability, convenience and versatility.

Accurate measurement is a crucial element in the design of audio equipment. Thus, the DATS (Dayton Audio Test System) V3 is able to provide highly reliable audio data measurements for any transducer or speaker.

The DATS V3 works with your computer and comprehensive test software to measure the impedance response of a loudspeaker and obtain a complete and detailed set of Thiele/Small parameters describing the capabilities of your loudspeaker. Its use is extremely simple since it is enough to connect your loudspeaker in a traditional way then to launch the measurement from the graphical interface. The DATS V3 then sends electrical signals to the loudspeaker to define its impedance and produce a high-resolution graph of 30,000 data points, without any further hardware required.

V3, well thought improvements

First change, the most visible at first sight, the design of the DATS has been completely redesigned. The components are now integrated in an Aluminium housing, much stronger than the previous one. In addition, optional brackets allow the DATS V3 to be mounted under a desk or on a test bench, saving valuable space.

On the operating side, there is no need to look for a calibration resistor, all components are now integrated in the housing and calibration is done automatically after connecting the test cables. Test cables that have also been improved since they are now detachable, insulated and equipped with banana plugs. Of course, it is also possible to use other test cables. Finally, a USB-B connector has been added, rather than an integrated USB cable, allowing, as with test cables, to be modified.

The internal circuits have been completely redesigned and improved to offer greater accuracy and provide higher output power. Thus, it is possible to perform measurements at a higher level to minimize the possibility of noise or vibration affecting the results. Many components have been modified for models with tighter tolerances to minimize the margin of error caused by the variance of a component. Even the calibration resistance now has a tolerance of 0.1%.

For the software, the real strength of DATS, not only measures the impedance and parameters of the tested loudspeaker with great precision, but is also able to perform linearity tests to observe parameter changes according to the chosen level. The linearity test automatically performs multiple loudspeaker scans at increasing or decreasing levels while saving the results of each test for comparison. The DATS V3 is also capable of measuring the true value of inductors, capacitors and resistors and can function as a signal generator and oscilloscope to measure weak electrical signals (line level only).