Advanced sound and vibration capabilities

An assortment of precision microphones, accelerometers and sound and vibration calibrators.

  • We have multiple acoustic and vibration sensors, including ½ inch pre polarized high quality IEC 61672 class I compliant microphones with an HBK type 4231 sound level calibrator, IEC/EN 60942 (2017) Class 1, and ANSI S1.40–2006. For vibration measurements, we have multiple types of small accelerometers and a HBKtype 4294 vibration calibrator.

    Note: we do not have an anechoic chamber, so measurements will be done in situ, or by renting an anechoic chamber from a 3rd party

The BHS II binaural recording and playback headset

  • We offer high quality, calibrated and equalized recording capability with a Head Acoustics BHS II mobile headset. This headset enables aurally accurate recording and playback. It captures the binaural signal for analysis and subjective sound quality evaluations. Equalized recording and playback are made via the Squadriga III data acquisition unit. This fully calibrated and equalized measurement and playback chain ensures a high quality and accurate signal. The recorded signals can then also be used in other calibrated playback equipment for jury study purposes.

Handheld Squadriga III data acquisition system

  • Our data acquisition capabilities include a Head Acoustics SQuadriga III system. It allows high quality, 24 bit measurements of up to 8 acoustic and vibration channels. It includes sound level meter functionality with advanced metrics and video capture. A signal generator and output channels are used for acoustic measurements, order tracking and structural analysis. Advanced, real time FFT, octave and psychoacoustic analysis and online filtering are available on the system. The additional toolpacks are: 01 -Advanced Online Analysis | 02 - Sound Level Meter | 03 - Video support | 04 - System Analysis

An interface of sound analysis software displaying various data plots showing vehicle noise levels and spectrums over time and RPM, with options for analysis and playback controls.

  • Advanced post processing analysis capabilities are available through the Head Acoustics Artemis Compact and Playback filtering:

    - Average Level/Loudness/FFT, Level/Loudness/FFT vs. Time/RPM, 3rd Octave Spectrum, Order Spectrum vs. RPM, Order Level vs. RPM, Sharpness vs. Time, Sharpness vs. RPM

    - Overlay of tolerance schemes and display of single-value results in a table, A-weighting, mark editing

    In addition to the post processing of recorded files afterwards with Artemis Compact, real-time analysis and filtering is also available during the data acquisition with the Squadriga III online and post processing:

    - Analyzer with the FFT, Time Signal, Octave, 3rd Octave, and Level vs. Time analyses

    - TP01: FFT vs. Time, order analyses, Loudness vs. Time, specific loudness, Sharpness vs. Time, articulation index, online filters

    - TP02: A/C/Z weighting, momentary and maximum sound pressure level with time weighting, equivalent continuous sound level, loudness (ISO 531-1, DIN 45631/A1), and sharpness (DIN 45692), octave and third-octave spectra, percentiles

    - TP04: Transfer function, Coherence, Impulse response, Cross correlation, Cross correlation vs. time, and Cross spectrum. Play & Record function and the signal generator.

Sound quality test setup in a room with tables arranged in a U-shape, each with a laptop and headphones

  • We have extensive experience in designing and running (multi geography) Sound Quality studies. This includes making sample recordings, background recordings. metric characterizations, study design and execution and statistical data analysis:

    - Binaural recording of samples and background sounds.

    - Superposition of samples representative background sounds to represent typical operating and use conditions.

    - Characterizing sounds using psychoacoustic metrics such as Loudness, Sharpness, Roughness and Tonality and selecting sample sets to cover the relevant variations in metrics.

    - Designing a Sound Quality study with user screeners, a hearing characterization, warm up sounds, relevant user rating scales and descriptions, and an automated administrator and listener user interface.

    - The use of calibrated playback systems and selecting an appropriate environment to run the study.

    - Statistical analysis of the data for paired comparison type evaluations or absolute rating scales.

    - Correlation of subjective ratings to Sound Quality metrics to establish relevant metrics and thresholds.

Image of training session in a modern office setting.

  • Training, mentoring and knowledge sharing is a passion. Over the course of 24 years in the industry and research, we have developed experience in training and standards. We have trained the engineering teams of multiple leading information technology companies, helped define and set up acoustic lab and research facilities, and developed multiple international standards.

    - Trained multiple acoustics engineering teams at leading information technology manufacturers on acoustic measurement techniques, standards, sound quality and electronic noise

    - Helped a leading manufacturer set up an acoustic test and research facility, including an anechoic chamber, measurement microphones, data acquisition and data analysis procedures.

    - Presented over 50 papers at conferences, including a keynote at the NoiseCon 2005 conference. Presented on behalf of the IT industry at 2 National Academy of Engineering workshops.

    - As chair of ITI-TC6 “Product Acoustics”, represented the one voice for the IT industry worldwide for over 10 years.

    - Member of the standards bodies ISO TC43, ANSI S12.10 and ECMA TC26. On behalf of ANSI, served at the US coordinator for multiple ISO standards