How do you test acoustic performance?

Noise control materials are everywhere — vehicles, industrial facilities, construction equipment, hospitals… the list goes on. And while it might sound obvious, it’s important to know these materials actually work before they’re installed.

Which is where acoustic test facilities come in. These purpose-built spaces ensure that noise control measures behave as they should, whether that means reducing echoes or blocking outside noise. They help us understand how sound travels and interacts with environments.

At IAC Acoustics Australia, we are pioneers in building these specialised testing facilities, bringing years of experience to support clients across all kinds of industries.

Types of acoustic tests and facilities

When we build an acoustic testing facility, each one is uniquely designed to meet the specific needs of our clients — no two are the same. Still, our work revolves around two main types, each backed by rigorous testing and certification.

Reverberation Rooms

Some rooms, called anechoic chambers, are built to absorb sound and eliminate echoes. Reverberation rooms, on the other hand, are designed to do the opposite—sound reflects off the hard surface reverberant walls. This creates a highly diffused acoustic measurement environment – creating a sound field in which acoustic energy flows equally in all directions.

This setup is crucial for testing how noise behaves, like measuring the sound power level of a product can produce, the transmission loss of partitions, insertion loss of silencers or the response characteristics of microphones. They can also be used for high-intensity noise level fatigue testing – required for industries such as aviation and space.

Our reverberation rooms are engineered to block outside noise using double-layered walls and ceilings, creating an environment which can be temperature, pressure and humidity controlled.  Acoustically treated ventilation systems and lighting/power is fully implemented in the turnkey package.

Transmission Suites

Transmission suites are built for advanced acoustic tests, like measuring how effectively barriers, walls or doors block sound between two spaces. They consist of two back-to-back reverberation rooms, creating a controlled environment where sound energy reflects evenly.

Our customisable suites feature double-wall construction, silenced ventilation, and acoustic doors for optimal performance. One client, Lorient Polyproducts, a UK-based firm specialising in high-performance door seals, benefited from a purpose-built suite with industry-standard compliance, low background noise (under 20 decibels), and moveable walls to accommodate various door sizes. This enables them to test and configure their current and future product developments in a controlled environment.

Conclusion: How do you test acoustics performance?

Accurate acoustic testing is essential for keeping noise levels safe and compliant across various industries. 

At IAC Acoustics Australia, we’ve led the way in designing advanced testing facilities for decades. Our reverberation rooms and transmission suites are relied upon by clients in construction, aerospace, and heavy industry, among others, to achieve reliable and precise results.

If your business needs a world-class facility to ensure your products surpass industry standards, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch today to see how we can help.