Product acoustic verification: independent checks on performance data
Every acoustic product comes with a number: a sound absorption class, a weighted absorption coefficient, a sound reduction index. Whether that number holds in your project depends on how the product was tested, how it will be installed and what the space actually needs.
Product acoustic verification is an independent check of the acoustic performance data for products proposed on a project. We confirm that they meet the required criteria and are suitable for the intended application, or we recommend alternatives that are.
Why product data needs checking
- Test conditions matter. Sound absorption measured to ISO 354 depends on the mounting: a panel tested with an air gap behind it may perform differently fixed directly to a wall.
- Single numbers hide detail. A weighted rating or class to ISO 11654 or ISO 717 summarises performance across frequency. Two products with the same rating can behave differently in the low frequencies that often matter most.
- Laboratory is not site. Sound insulation measured in a laboratory to ISO 10140 does not include flanking or workmanship, so performance on site is usually lower.
- Substitutions arrive late. Contractors often propose alternatives at tender or on site, sometimes with incomplete or non-comparable data.
What we check
- Manufacturer test reports and data sheets, including the standard used, the specimen tested and how it was mounted.
- Comparison against the project specification, space by space and element by element.
- Suitability and installation sensitivity, including any gaps in the data and details that could undermine performance on site.
- A clear written outcome: confirmation that a product is suitable, or recommended alternatives.
We work to ISO 354 (sound absorption), ISO 11654 (absorption rating), ISO 10140 and ISO 717 (sound insulation), ASTM equivalents for international projects, and the project specification.
Independent advice
Auris is not tied to a product, a manufacturer or a contractor. Our only interest is whether the product will do its job in the space, which is why design teams and clients use us to check data before it is relied on. It pairs naturally with our architectural acoustics work, where we specify products with precision in the first place.
How we work
- Send us the information. The acoustic specification, the proposed products and the manufacturer data you have.
- Review. We check the data against the specification and the intended application.
- Report. You receive written confirmation, a list of gaps to close, or recommended alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ISO 354 and ISO 11654? ISO 354 is the laboratory method for measuring sound absorption in a reverberation room. ISO 11654 turns those measurements into a single weighted sound absorption coefficient and a class from A to E. A verification check looks at both, and at how the sample was mounted.
Will a product perform on site as it did in the laboratory? Not always. Sound insulation on site is affected by flanking paths and workmanship, and absorption is affected by mounting and coverage. We advise on installation sensitivity so the specified performance has the best chance of being achieved, and our measurement and testing service can confirm it on site.
Do you test the products yourselves? Product acoustic verification is a review of existing test data. Where the data is missing or does not reflect the proposed build-up, we say so and advise on what further evidence would close the gap.
When should products be verified? At specification, when tender returns arrive, and whenever a substitution is proposed. Checking before an order is placed is far easier than replacing a product after installation.
Related services
- Architectural acoustics
- Measurement and testing
- Pricing and value engineering
- Acoustic consultancy for architects and interior designers
Check a product before it is specified
Send us the specification and the products proposed, and we will tell you whether the data stands up. Get in touch, call 020 3949 1597 or email hello@auris-consultancy.com.