3000W Chinese Gensets Info.

I just purchased a Champion C46540 from Kragen Auto Parts yesterday for $299. I have a sound (decibel) meter from Radio Shack that I used to set up my stereo surround sound system so I took some readings of the generator. You can look at the meter here http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103667&cp=&sr=1&origkw=sound+meter&kw=sound+meter&parentPage=search . It is accurate to within two decibels per the manufacturer and is recommended on several stereophile sites as being tested and proven against much more expensive meters. I set the meter to "slow response" which means it takes a reading every 0.5 sec and used the "A weighting" setting that is used for non musical sounds. I additionally used time weighted setting that averages the sound over a period of time. I set this for 10 seconds. I took all readings 20 feet away and the generator was out in the open with nothing with in say 30 yards to bounce any sound off of. Now that you got all that here is what I found... The thing is LOUD. Granted it is brand new but I can't imagine any real improvement over time. I let it run for 5 minutes before measurements began. I first tested without the included spark arrestor installed and averaged 75 decibels. With the spark arrestor in the average was 73 decibels. I could not in good conscience run this thing as is in a campground. I camp in Forest Service campgrounds and I can't imagine a tenter or an rv'r not being rather upset at the noise level. I am going to do the silicone behind the fan mod, remeasure and post results. I also have plans for an enclosure with a fan and will move the AVR outside the case. I'll take decibel measurements with all this and post back over the next month or so. Interesting that Champion lists the decibel level at 68.