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Why We Tested It

Surge Pro was designed with angled waveforms and sculptural geometry that create a naturally asymmetric air cavity behind the panel — much like our Wave Series. With its integrated 35mm air gap and mid-bass-enhancing form, it was engineered to perform exceptionally well in the mid to lower frequency range.

To validate that performance beyond design theory, we submitted Surge Pro for independent third-party testing under the ASTM C423 standard — the gold standard for measuring acoustic absorption in controlled lab conditions.

Test Setup Summary

  • Standard used: ASTM C423-22
  • Testing facility: Accredited third-party acoustic lab
  • Mounting method: Type A (direct wall mount with built-in air gap)
  • Panel tested: Surge Pro, 2" (50mm) thickness + 1.3" (35mm) air gap, 19 panels
  • Test environment: Reverberation chamber method
  • Frequency range tested: 100 Hz – 5000 Hz
  • Test date: April 2025

Here is the test report for download

Report with 1 layer of Bass Trap (PDF)

Report with 1.3 inch air gap (PDF)

 

Our In-Room Test Process

While lab testing provides a certified reference point, we believe acoustic panels should also be tested the way they’re actually used — in real rooms. That’s why we developed an in-room testing method using:

  • Mic: UMIK-1 (with 90 dgree calibration file, mic pointing up)
  • Speaker: KEF Q350
  • Software: REW (Room EQ Wizard)
  • Room size: 19.6 m² (55.5 m³) untreated studio space
  • Mic positions: 4 locations, 5 tests each, averaged
  • Panel setup: Wall-mounted with integrated 35mm air gap
  • Diffusion treatment: Installed ceiling and side diffusers to reduce comb filtering and standing waves

 

a photo showing the setup with ceiling diffusers and floor diffusers to eliminate flutter echo.

This method doesn’t simulate an ideal lab — but it reflects what our users actually experience. And as our test on Surge Pro shows, our in-room results closely mirror the lab’s, with a consistent offset (delta)

Frequency (Hz) ASTM Lab In-Room Delta (Lab - Room)
125 0.13 0.17 -0.04
250 0.59 0.72 -0.13
500 1.15 0.82 0.46
1000 1.10 1.32 -0.22
2000 1.05 1.15 -0.10
4000 0.88 1.22 -0.34
NRC 0.97 0.97 0.005

 

Despite individual band fluctuations due to room conditions, the overall NRC values matched perfectly — a strong indication that our in-room testing setup is both repeatable and reliable.

Why This Matters

This test not only confirms Surge Pro’s lab-certified absorption, but also strengthens the credibility of our in-room testing method — which we use to evaluate other panels, such as Rhythm Pro, that aren’t easily testable in standardized labs due to their modular or asymmetric mounting formats.

By showing the delta between lab and room conditions, we aim to build a performance story that is both technically sound and practically honest — so you can trust what you hear, not just what’s printed.

📥 Download the Full In-Room Test Data

Want to dive deeper? We’ve made our full REW test files available for download, including raw measurement data, mic placements, and averaged curves from all four positions.

Use these files to:

  • Verify our results in REW (Room EQ Wizard)

  • See how our room setup impacts decay curves

  • Compare to your own testing process or simulations

🔗 Download REW .mdat file – Empty Room In-Room Test

🔗 Download REW .mdat file – Surge Pro In-Room Test

🔗 Google Sheet – Raw + Averaged Absorption Data

Note: These files require REW to open. If you’re unfamiliar with REW, feel free to reach out — we’re happy to walk you through it.

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