The following is a high level, simple overview project example of why Sound Quality Engineering is important for products.

A large brand of IT and CE products requested our Sound Quality engineering assistance for understanding why users of their product were complaining about the noise. The noise emission characteristics of the unit were as follows:

· Sound Power Level 2.6 bels

· Prominent Tones < 4.0 dB

· No impulsiveness (as defined by ISO 7779)

The above data were all acquired and analyzed in accordance with ISO 7779.

Again, the problem with relying on standardized acoustical testing and analysis methods is they do not provide human information. Sound Power Level provides the total power output of the unit in acoustic watts (120 dB = 1W referenced to 1 Pico watt). 2.6 bels is a very low energy emission for a PC or CE device and in theory, would not be perceived by many users. This level also comes very close to meeting many industry brand supplier’s defined specifications or design guide as being the “Best”. However, one needs to understand that this total power output is very similar to a light bulb. One knows the output power of a light (e.g. 60 watts) but what is the color of the light (black, red, yellow), is the light clear, opaque. strobe, etc.? In other words, we know the power output of the light but what is the light QUALITY?

With Sound Quality testing and engineering combined with psychoacoustical analysis to the sound, we are able to gather a significantly larger amount of the sound data and understand the actual reason why users were complaining.

Click the links below to find out more.

 

 

Project Example

Sound Pressure Levels

Levels vs Time

Root Cause

Final Proof