Services
Sound Testing
Identify potential noise nuisances or high levels of noise pollution. Ensure noise within a facility is at a reasonable level and within compliance.
Sound Testing Services
Need a sound test? Soundproof San Diego offers two forms of sound insulation testing, each one for a different type of sound transmission. Sound transmission can happen either in the air (airborne) or through the framework of the building (structural). In both cases, certified calibrated devices must be used for the measurements. Using phone apps (with built-in microphone) to measure sound levels can be a entertaining but are not calibrated accurately enough to provide usable results.
Residential sound testing can be helpful when a noise concern needs more than a verbal description.
A downstairs neighbor may be hearing footsteps after a flooring change. A condo owner may need help understanding sound transfer through a shared wall. A homeowner may want to know whether a bedroom, home office, ADU, media room, or studio has a sound issue that can be improved. An HOA or property manager may need documentation before deciding how to move forward.
Sound testing can help provide a clearer picture of what is happening.
Some tests may focus on airborne sound, such as voices, TV, music, barking dogs, or outside noise moving through walls, windows, doors, ceilings, or floors.
Other tests may focus on impact sound, such as footsteps, dropped items, furniture movement, exercise equipment, or activity from above.
Some situations may involve vibration, reverberation, mechanical noise, exterior noise, flanking paths, or room acoustics.
Because residential sound concerns can overlap, testing is often most useful when paired with acoustic consulting or construction-informed review. Soundproof San Diego can help determine whether testing is the right next step, what type of information may be useful, and how the results may guide the next decision.
When a Noise Concern Needs Documentation, Measurement, or a Clearer Next Step
Common Residential Spaces We Evaluate
Residential compliance concerns often show up in spaces where people are trying to sleep, work, relax, or live close to others.
Soundproof San Diego can help review:
- Condos and Townhomes
- Multi-Family Residences
- Bedrooms and Sleep Spaces
- Living Rooms and Family Rooms
- Home Offices
- ADUs and Attached Living Spaces
- Floor and Ceiling Assemblies
- Remodels and Flooring Projects
Types of Properties We Work On
- Single-family homes
- Condos and townhomes
- Duplexes and multi-family residences
- Apartments and mixed-use residential buildings
- Estate homes
- New home construction
- Remodels, Additions, and ADUs
- Existing homes requiring retrofit solutions
Important Note About Sound Testing
We Help Clarify the Sound Issue and the Next Step
Sound testing can help provide useful information about a residential sound concern, but every situation is different.
Some concerns can be measured clearly. Others may be intermittent, structural, behavioral, environmental, or affected by timing, building conditions, surrounding activity, or how the home is used.
Soundproof San Diego can help homeowners, HOAs, property managers, and residential project teams understand what testing may or may not show, whether testing is appropriate, and what next step may be useful after the review.
If your concern involves legal enforcement, formal dispute resolution, code interpretation, or HOA governing documents, those questions should also be reviewed with the appropriate legal, HOA, building, or property professional.
Our role is to help clarify the sound issue itself so decisions can be made with better information.
Airborne Insulation Testing (ASTM E90) is used to approximate the Sound Transmission Class (STC) of a partition (wall, ceiling, or floor) between two spaces. Outdoor/Indoor Transmission Class (OITC) is used exclusively when metering sound transmission through an exterior partition to the interior of the building. The most common setup to measure STC (or OITC) is to place a calibrated microphone in the receiving space and a specialized speaker in the source side. White noise is played through the speaker and the calibrated microphone will pick up the sound pressure levels that are transmitted through the partition. This data is used to calculate the measured STC (or OITC) rating of the target partition. This number will help to determine what modifications to the partition will be required in order to achieve desired sound insulation. Examples of airborne noises include speech, audio speakers (can be structural as well), etc. If you would like more information about STC & OITC ratings please check out our Soundproofing FAQs!
Impact Insulation Testing (ASTM E492) is used to measure transmission information when objects hit the structural components of a building. In order to test, a tapping machine (pictured above) is placed on the floor to simulate controlled foot steps. A metal hammer inside the unit sends taps through the structure (floor) and sound levels are measured in the area of concern (usually downstairs). The collected data is used to calculate the measured Impact Insulation Class (IIC). This number will help to determine what modifications to the partition will be required in order to achieve desired sound insulation. Examples of structural noises include footfall, dropping of object on the ground, closing or slamming of doors, etc. If you would like more information on IIC ratings please contact Soundproof San Diego today.
Acoustics Testing - Reverberation
Sound testing has proven to be very useful in the field of Acoustics. When sound is emitted in an enclosed space echoes tend to build up. This is known as reverberation. When the sound source is muted, the reverberation will continue to be heard as it is absorbed by the surroundings over time and the sound level decays. Reverberation testing setup requires both the source speaker and metering microphone to have open air space between them, usually by positioning both components in the same room.
The reverberation time (or RT60) describes the time it takes for the sound to decay by 60 dB after the sound source is muted. RT30 is the same as RT60 but instead meters the time it take for the sound to decay by 30 dB instead. The reverberation time of a space is affected by it’s dimensions, the building materials and installation methods used, and all objects (including people) within the room. Long reverberation times can make speech unintelligible, short reverberation times can make music sound dry or dead. The ideal reverb time depends on the size and intended use of the space as well as personal preference based on individual perception. This test is commonly used to determine how much acoustic treatment is needed to achieve the correct reverberation time. Materials can be tested to obtain a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) when tested in a proper sound testing facility using this method.
Residential Sound Testing Questions We Hear Most Often
We are happy to answer your questions over the phone as well, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Sound testing may make sense when you need objective information about a noise concern.
This can be helpful for shared walls, footsteps from above, flooring changes, neighbor complaints, HOA concerns, room-to-room sound transfer, exterior noise, studio performance, or before-and-after comparisons.
It depends on the situation.
Acoustic consulting helps identify what kind of sound problem you may have and what options may make sense. Sound testing may be helpful when measurement, documentation, or objective information is needed.
Some projects need consulting first. Some need testing. Some need both.
Give us a call and let's talk about what is going on and we can help guide you.
es. Sound testing can help review certain neighbor noise concerns, especially when documentation or objective information is needed.
The usefulness of testing depends on the type of noise, when it occurs, whether it can be reproduced, and what decision the results are intended to support.
Testing can provide useful information, but the recommendation also depends on the construction, sound source, room use, budget, and realistic goals.
Soundproof San Diego can help connect testing results with practical soundproofing, acoustic treatment, or mitigation options.
Sound testing may provide useful information, but interpretation of HOA rules, CC&Rs, legal obligations, or enforcement decisions should be handled by the appropriate HOA, property management, legal, or governing authority.
Soundproof San Diego can help review the sound issue and provide acoustic information that may support better decision-making.
Depending on the scope, written documentation may be available. This may include observations, findings, recommendations, or sound-related information that helps explain the concern and possible next steps.
The type of documentation depends on the purpose of the review and the level of testing or consulting required.
Sound Transmission Class (STC) and Outdoor-Indoor Transmission Class (OITC) ratings are used to evaluate and specify the sound insulation or sound transmission properties of building materials, walls, windows, and other elements within buildings.
These ratings are important for various professionals and individuals involved in the construction and design of buildings, particularly those concerned with noise control and acoustic performance.
Here are some of the key users and contexts for STC and OITC ratings:
Architects and Building Designers: Architects and building designers use STC and OITC ratings to select materials and building assemblies that will provide the desired level of sound insulation in various building types, such as residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. They design spaces with the goal of meeting specific acoustic requirements and minimizing noise transmission between rooms and from outside sources.
Acoustic Consultants: Acoustic consultants (that's us!) are experts in designing spaces with optimal acoustic performance. We utilize STC and OITC ratings to assess and recommend building materials and construction techniques to achieve specific sound isolation goals in our projects.
Construction and Building Contractors: Contractors are responsible for implementing the designs and specifications provided by architects and designers. They need to understand and work with materials that have specific STC and OITC ratings to ensure that the intended level of sound isolation is achieved during the construction process.
Manufacturers and Suppliers: Manufacturers of building materials, windows, doors, and other sound-insulating products provide STC and OITC ratings for their products. These ratings help customers, including architects and builders, choose the right materials to meet their sound insulation needs.
Building Owners and Facility Managers: Building owners and managers are concerned with maintaining a comfortable and quiet indoor environment. They use STC and OITC ratings to assess and upgrade the sound insulation of their buildings as needed, especially in multi-unit residential buildings, hotels, and commercial properties.
Acoustic Engineers and Researchers: Acoustic engineers and researchers use STC and OITC ratings to study and improve the acoustic performance of building materials and assemblies. They may develop new sound-insulating materials and test their performance based on these ratings.
Regulatory Authorities and Building Codes: Some building codes and regulations specify minimum STC and OITC requirements for certain types of buildings, such as residential dwellings or healthcare facilities. Compliance with these standards is essential to ensure occupant comfort and safety.
STC and OITC ratings provide standardized methods for assessing the sound insulation properties of building elements, helping professionals and individuals make informed decisions to create spaces with the desired level of noise control and acoustic privacy.
For more information about STC and OITC Ratings, check out our blog post!
The term "NRC rating" refers to the Noise Reduction Coefficient, a measure of how well a material or surface can absorb sound and reduce its reflection. NRC ratings are used in the fields of architecture, interior design, and acoustics to assess and specify materials for the acoustic performance of a space.
Here are some of the primary users and contexts where NRC ratings are important:
Architects and Interior Designers: Architects and interior designers use NRC ratings to select materials such as wall panels, ceiling tiles, flooring, and furniture that can improve the acoustic environment within a building. They choose materials with specific NRC ratings to achieve the desired level of sound absorption and control in various spaces, such as offices, conference rooms, auditoriums, and residential homes.
Acoustic Consultants (That's us!) : Acoustic consultants are professionals who specialize in designing spaces with optimal acoustic properties. We use NRC ratings to recommend suitable materials and construction methods to meet specific sound control requirements. This is often for projects like theaters, recording studios, and concert halls.
Building Owners and Facility Managers: Building owners and facility managers are responsible for maintaining and improving the acoustic performance of their properties.
They use NRC ratings when renovating or retrofitting spaces to enhance their acoustic qualities, which can have a significant impact on occupant comfort and productivity.
Manufacturers and Suppliers: Manufacturers of acoustic products, such as acoustic panels, ceiling tiles, and flooring materials, provide NRC ratings for their products. These ratings help customers, including architects and designers, make informed decisions when selecting materials for their projects.
Acoustic Researchers and Engineers: Researchers and engineers in the field of acoustics use NRC ratings as part of their studies and experiments. They may also develop new materials and technologies to improve acoustic performance and test them against established standards, including NRC.
Regulatory Authorities: Some building codes and regulations may stipulate minimum NRC requirements for specific types of spaces to ensure occupant comfort and safety.
Consumers: Homeowners and individuals looking to improve the acoustics of their living spaces may also refer to NRC ratings when selecting acoustic products for personal use.
NRC ratings provide a standardized way to assess the sound-absorbing properties of materials, helping professionals and individuals make informed decisions when designing, constructing, or renovating spaces with specific acoustic requirements.
For more information about NRC Ratings, check out our blog post:
The Impact Insulation Class (IIC) rating is a measure of a floor assembly's ability to reduce the transmission of impact noise, such as footsteps or objects being dropped, from one level of a building to another. IIC ratings are particularly important for professionals and individuals involved in the construction, design, or renovation of buildings, where noise control between floors is a concern. Here are some key users and contexts where IIC ratings are relevant:
Architects and Building Designers: Architects and building designers use IIC ratings to select flooring materials and systems that can help achieve the desired level of noise control between different levels of a building. They may specify flooring solutions with high IIC ratings to reduce impact noise transmission in multi-story residential, commercial, or institutional buildings.
Acoustic Consultants: Acoustic consultants (That's us!) specializing in architectural acoustics use IIC ratings to evaluate and recommend floor assembly designs, materials, and construction techniques to achieve specific impact noise reduction goals in our projects. We work on a range of buildings, including residential, commercial, and industrial.
Construction and Building Contractors: Contractors are responsible for implementing the design and specifications provided by architects and designers. They need to understand and work with flooring materials and assemblies that meet or exceed certain IIC ratings to ensure effective impact noise control during construction.
Manufacturers and Suppliers: Manufacturers of flooring materials and systems provide IIC ratings for their products. These ratings help customers, including architects and builders, choose appropriate flooring solutions to meet their impact noise reduction needs.
Building Owners and Facility Managers: Building owners and managers are concerned with maintaining a comfortable and noise-free indoor environment. They use IIC ratings when selecting or upgrading flooring materials and systems to reduce impact noise transmission within their buildings, particularly in multi-unit residential buildings, hotels, and commercial properties.
Acoustic Engineers and Researchers: Acoustic engineers and researchers may use IIC ratings to study and improve the impact noise performance of flooring materials and systems. They may develop new products or construction methods and test them based on these ratings.
Regulatory Authorities and Building Codes: Some building codes and regulations may stipulate minimum IIC requirements for specific types of buildings to ensure that noise transmission between floors meets certain standards.
IIC ratings play a crucial role in ensuring that buildings provide effective impact noise control, which is essential for occupant comfort and acoustic privacy in multi-story structures. Professionals and individuals involved in the construction and design of buildings rely on IIC ratings to make informed decisions about flooring materials and systems.
For more information about IIC Ratings, check out our blog post!
Testimonials
Clients who hire Soundproof San Diego desire to work with someone who is knowledgeable and provides peace of mind, most of our clients are literally at their witts end by the time they reach out to us, and we are honored to serve them, restoring order and sanity back to their lives.