Results of my unofficial Roadster headliner noise reduction test...>>
Thread Starter
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Joined: Apr 2005
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Results of my unofficial Roadster headliner noise reduction test...>>
I decided to get some actual data for the level of noise reduction of the Stratmosphere headliner. So I found the noisiest road I could. In TX, their idea of a new road is tar and gravel. Despite the cost savings in the short term - it is a horrible idea. Gas mileage decreases, broken windshields are more common, downright dangerous on curves on hot days... But that is not the point. Here is the pre headliner install test...
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/90706/cimg3309.jpg">
This is my post install test...
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/90706/cimg3317.jpg">
As you can see - not much different. However I am pretty sure this is due to the low frequency vibrations that are being transmitted through the chassis - combined with my really loud tires. So in all -pretty much invalid data points as I cannot differentiate the dB reduction for higher frequencies. Sorry for wasting your time...
However I can definitely tell a difference in overall cockpit noise from wind and other vehicle traffic. I can't prove with any data, but I do notice a big difference. On a section of fresh asphalt I was showing probably - 4 dB ...quite a difference from the + 4 dB on the "chip sealed" road.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/90706/cimg3309.jpg">
This is my post install test...
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/90706/cimg3317.jpg">
As you can see - not much different. However I am pretty sure this is due to the low frequency vibrations that are being transmitted through the chassis - combined with my really loud tires. So in all -pretty much invalid data points as I cannot differentiate the dB reduction for higher frequencies. Sorry for wasting your time...
However I can definitely tell a difference in overall cockpit noise from wind and other vehicle traffic. I can't prove with any data, but I do notice a big difference. On a section of fresh asphalt I was showing probably - 4 dB ...quite a difference from the + 4 dB on the "chip sealed" road.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 10,902
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That's what I was thinking (and the reference I went to ; )
"It will be seen that there is a 10 dB increase (decrease) for each factor 10 increase (decrease) in the ratio of X 1 to X0, and approximately a 3 dB increase (decrease) for every factor 2 increase (decrease)."
Your meter seems to show a 2 dB decrease, and 3 dB is a 50% reduction. That's pretty impressive for a piece of cloth!
Your meter seems to show a 2 dB decrease, and 3 dB is a 50% reduction. That's pretty impressive for a piece of cloth!
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 305
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Even on the slow weighting, it bounced from +2 to +4 for both pre and post installation.
Unfortunately I don't have video on my old Exilim - I know get out of the stone age. I couldn't capture the exact same spot of road twice. 
Here is a quick pic of the more refined interior...
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/90706/cimg3312.jpg">
Here is a quick pic of the more refined interior...
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/90706/cimg3312.jpg">
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Could have just parked in the garage with the door closed and boombox emitting test tones
would have been much more accurate (boombox dependent), easier and safer :-)
Neat idea though, surprised someone actually went through the trouble of testing it.
Neat idea though, surprised someone actually went through the trouble of testing it.
