Case Study: Sound Deadening, Vibration Dampening and Absorption on Subaru Ascent

A customer of Earmark Car Audio in Plano TX that took the time to evaluate “Before & After” result of HushMat Ultra and Silencer Megabond. The results were measured and he sent a PDF report. This is excellent information – a 6-7 dB reduction is HUGE and reduces the sound in the vehicle by well over 3X. The customer provides the sound data before and after and also very good photos of the installation. 

Sound Matting Liner and Absorption Foam was installed in a 2023 Subaru Ascent  SUV floor and doors to reduce frame and wheel transmitted road noise as well as high frequency wind nose with the additional benefit of improved thermal insulation. The main goal was to reduce the interior noise to several dB below the ambient noise to allow for normal voice level conversation during long road trips. 

For sound level references, the following is a list of averaged dB measurements by the NIOSH APP of the road noise inside the auto without any talking, music, or AC fan sounds.

Before:
57 dB - Auto running and stopped at a normal cross street traffic light.
62 dB - Auto driving on a normal side street at typical speed of 35 mph.
68 dB - Auto driving on a two-lane road at typical speed of 55 mph.
71 dB - Auto driving on a high-speed multilane highway at typical speed of 70 mph.

After:
50 dB - Auto running and stopped at a normal cross street traffic light.
55 dB - Auto driving on a normal side street at typical speed of 35 mph.
61 dB - Auto driving on a two-lane road at typical speed of 55 mph.
66 dB - Auto driving on a high-speed multilane highway at typical speed of 70 mph.

Read the full PDF