Quick Overview How Sound Reaches the Body Sound is a pressure wave. Air molecules oscillate, the wave moves outward, and any object in its path picks up some of that mechanical energy. The human body is about 60% water and full of resonant cavities, so it conducts sound well at almost every frequency the ear […]

Understanding the Physics Behind Sound Speed Sound isn’t just something we hear—it’s vibration energy moving through matter. Whether it’s a shout, a hammer strike, or a subwoofer pulse, all sound waves rely on molecules bumping into each other to carry that energy forward. The difference between air and concrete comes down to how easily those […]

Why Sound Still Amazes Us Sound surrounds us every second of the day — from the 32 Hz hum of city traffic to the 20,000 Hz buzz of a cicada. It shapes mood, focus, and even how buildings feel. Despite being invisible, sound is energy you can measure, control, and design with precision. Whether you’re […]

Why the Difference Matters Every noise problem in a building starts with one question: is it airborne or structure-borne? Knowing which type you’re dealing with determines how to solve it. Airborne noise moves through open air — voices, televisions, barking dogs, or passing traffic — while structure-borne noise travels through solid materials such as floors, […]

Understanding Structure-Borne Noise and Its Impact on Design Sound waves aren’t the only things that move through a building. Vibration—the physical motion of energy through solid materials—can travel surprisingly far, creating audible noise, rattling surfaces, and structural fatigue. Unlike airborne sound that moves through open air, vibration passes directly through walls, floors, beams, and columns. […]

What Impacts Real Soundproofing Results Good soundproofing isn’t just about adding mass or throwing insulation into a wall. The real challenge is making sure sound doesn’t find another way around. Two factors determine whether your design actually performs in the field — flanking and workmanship. Flanking refers to sound slipping through the cracks — literally. […]

The Physics Behind How Sound Travels Sound isn’t just something we hear—it’s something that happens. Every sound begins as vibration, sending pressure waves through air, water, or solid materials until they reach our ears. These waves carry energy outward, which is why a single sound can fill a room, pass through walls, or make windows […]

Why the Acoustic Properties of Sound Matter Before you can control sound, you have to understand it. The acoustic properties of sound explain how noise behaves, moves, and interacts with the materials around us. Whether you’re designing a recording studio, a classroom, or a multi-family building, understanding these properties helps you predict how sound will […]

What Is Flanking Noise Flanking noise is sound that reaches a space through indirect paths such as ceilings, floors, ducts, or framing instead of passing directly through the separating wall. Even high-performance walls with excellent STC ratings can fail in the field if flanking paths allow sound to travel around them. In laboratory tests, flanking […]