Common Mistakes Companies Make When Designing an Anechoic Chamber



Designing an anechoic chamber is far more complex than simply constructing a quiet room. It requires scientific precision, proper engineering, and deep knowledge of acoustics. Whether the goal is to build a Semi Anechoic Chamber, Full Anechoic Chamber, or a specialized Acoustic Anechoic Chamber, even a small error during design can impact performance, ISO compliance, and long-term reliability.

Many organizations unintentionally make mistakes due to budget limitations, limited technical knowledge, or skipping critical engineering steps. These mistakes often result in chambers that provide inaccurate results, reject compliance tests, or require costly modifications later.

This guide highlights the most common errors companies make when planning an anechoic facility and how to avoid them.

1. Starting Without a Clear Testing Objective

One of the biggest issues companies face is beginning the project without identifying the exact testing requirement. Every chamber serves a specific purpose, and using a wrong configuration can severely affect test data.

Why This Happens

Many assume all anechoic chambers work the same way and skip defining application-based needs.

What Goes Wrong

  • Inaccurate acoustic results

  • Wrong floor system

  • Incorrect wedge design

  • Poor test reliability

How to Avoid It

Before design begins, define:

  • Type of tests

  • Frequency range

  • Equipment placement

  • Required ISO standards

A clear objective ensures the entire chamber is engineered correctly.

2. Choosing the Wrong Type of Anechoic Chamber

Budget-driven decisions often lead companies to choose a Semi Anechoic Chamber instead of a Full Anechoic Chamber or vice versa.

Know the Difference

  • Semi Anechoic Chamber – Reflective floor, used for machinery noise, engines, heavy components, automotive parts.

  • Full Anechoic Chamber – Floating floor, ideal for microphones, speakers, psychoacoustics, and low-noise research.

Impact of Wrong Selection

  • Unreliable readings

  • Non-compliant testing

  • Compromised user experience

Right Approach

Choose chamber type strictly based on testing needs, not price.

3. Installing the Chamber in an Unsuitable Location

Room placement significantly affects chamber performance, yet many companies choose locations simply based on free space.

Common Errors

  • Installing near vibration sources

  • Low load-bearing floors

  • Near outdoor noise

  • Poor ventilation space

Impact

External vibrations and noise easily enter the room, ruining test quality.

Solution

  • Choose a stable location

  • Ensure structural strength

  • Check ambient noise levels

  • Provide isolated HVAC pathways

4. Incorrect Selection of Acoustic Wedges

Wedges determine how well the chamber absorbs sound. Poor-quality wedges immediately reduce chamber accuracy.

What Goes Wrong

  • Low-density foam

  • Wrong wedge geometry

  • Unverified fire ratings

  • Weak low-frequency absorption

Problems Caused

  • Internal reflections

  • Poor sound decay

  • Failed ISO testing

Best Practice

Use:

  • ISO-tested wedges

  • Fire-safe materials

  • Wedges designed for required frequency performance

5. Weak Sound Isolation of the Chamber Shell

Many believe wedges alone ensure silence, but the structural shell actually provides core sound isolation.

Common Mistakes

  • Thin wall panels

  • Poorly designed floating floor

  • Weak door seals

  • Poor joint sealing

Impact

Even low-level external noise infiltrates the test zone.

How to Fix

  • Multi-layer wall construction

  • Vibration-isolating floors

  • Certified acoustic doors

  • Properly sealed cable penetrations

6. Ignoring HVAC Noise and Airflow Management

HVAC systems are critical but often overlooked in terms of noise generation.

Typical Issues

  • Noisy fans

  • Direct airflow

  • Poor duct silencers

  • Wrong diffuser placement

What It Causes

  • Increased background noise

  • Disturbed low-frequency data

  • Failed acoustic tests

Solution

  • Install quiet HVAC units

  • Use long-path silencers

  • Position diffusers away from microphones

  • Maintain consistent laminar airflow

7. Misjudging the Chamber Dimensions

Chamber size directly influences low-frequency absorption performance.

Frequent Mistakes

  • Choosing very small rooms

  • Ignoring ISO room size guidelines

  • No allowance for equipment footprint

  • No planning for future testing needs

Impact

Small chambers fail to absorb low frequencies properly.

Correct Approach

Plan size based on:

  • Desired cut-off frequency

  • Equipment dimensions

  • Microphone positions

  • Industry standards

8. Poor Door and Penetration Sealing

Anechoic doors and cable ports are critical components. Even tiny gaps can cause significant noise leakage.

Mistakes

  • Misaligned door frames

  • Weak seals

  • Poorly sealed conduit entries

Results

  • Acoustic leakage

  • Corrupted test results

How to Avoid

Use high-performance acoustic doors and properly sealed penetrations built for airtight performance.

9. Overlooking Safety and Maintenance Requirements

Safety provisions and maintenance access are often ignored during design.

Things Often Missed

  • Emergency lighting

  • Fire-safe materials

  • Cleaning access behind wedges

  • Cable management planning

Why It Matters

Lack of planning leads to maintenance difficulty, unsafe conditions, and long-term degradation.

10. Hiring Vendors Without Acoustic Expertise

One of the biggest reasons projects fail is choosing vendors with little or no acoustic experience.

Signs of Inexperienced Vendors

  • No ISO-certified testing experience

  • No performance reports

  • Generic construction knowledge

Impact

  • Poor accuracy

  • Costly redesigns

  • Failed client audits

Right Solution

Partner only with acoustic engineering specialists with proven project experience.

Why Ecotone Systems Builds Perfectly Engineered Anechoic Chambers

While many companies struggle due to poor planning or incorrect vendor selection, Ecotone Systems consistently delivers high-performance anechoic environments backed by advanced engineering and decades of expertise.

1. Engineering Guided by ISO Standards

Every chamber is designed following ISO 3744 and ISO 3745 guidelines to ensure accurate, repeatable, and compliant test results.

2. High-Performance Acoustic Materials

Ecotone Systems uses:

  • Laboratory-tested wedges

  • Fire-resistant materials

  • Advanced low-frequency treatments

This prevents common industry problems like premature degradation or limited absorption performance.

3. Superior Noise Isolation Design

From floating floors to multi-layer shells and precision-engineered doors, Ecotone ensures complete isolation even in noisy environments.

4. Custom Designs for Every Industry

Each project is tailored to the client’s specific applications—whether automotive, electronics, R&D, or precision microphone testing.

5. Proven Expertise and Reliable Execution

With numerous projects across India and international markets, Ecotone Systems is recognized as one of the most trusted brands for high-quality acoustic chambers.

Conclusion

Anechoic chamber design requires technical precision, engineering expertise, and careful planning. Avoiding the common mistakes listed above ensures better accuracy, long-term reliability, and compliance with global acoustic standards. Whether you need a Semi Anechoic Chamber, Full Anechoic Chamber, or custom Acoustic Anechoic Chamber, proper design and expert guidance will dramatically improve performance.

Partnering with experienced specialists like Ecotone Systems guarantees a chamber built for accuracy, durability, and world-class results.

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