How to Test Conference Room Audio Quality

Quick Tests (No Equipment Needed)

These tests take 5 minutes, need no equipment, and reveal the most common problems.

1. The Clap Test (for echo)

1. Stand in the center of the room, or where people typically sit.
2. Clap your hands once, sharply.
3. Listen to how the sound decays.

What to listen for:

• Sound dies almost immediately: Echo is well-controlled. Good sign.
• Sound lingers (like a short tail): Moderate echo. May affect call clarity.
• Sound rings, flutters, or bounces: Significant echo. This room will sound harsh on calls.

Try the clap test in different spots - corners and areas near glass walls often reveal the worst echo.

2. The Silence Test (for background noise)

1. Sit in the room with the door closed.
2. Make sure HVAC is running at normal levels (not a quiet period).
3. Close your eyes and listen for 30 seconds.

What to listen for:

• Air movement: Can you hear the HVAC? The microphone will too.
• Hallway sounds: Conversations, footsteps, doors closing.
• Electronic hum: Projectors, displays, computers.
• External noise: Traffic, construction, weather.

If you can hear it, remote participants will hear it amplified through the microphone.

3. The Walk Test (for microphone coverage)

1. Join a test call with a colleague who will listen remotely.
2. Walk slowly around the room while speaking at normal volume.
3. Count to ten repeatedly, or read a passage aloud.
4. Ask your colleague to note where your voice stays clear and where it gets quiet or muffled.

What to look for:

• Consistent audio throughout: Good coverage.
• Audio drops in certain spots: Those spots are outside the mic's effective range.
• Audio disappears entirely somewhere: Hard coverage limit - don't seat people there.

Pay special attention to the far end of the table, corners, and anywhere people might sit.

Smartphone App Testing

Sound level apps on your phone can measure decibels (dB). They're not calibrated like professional meters, but they're useful for:

• Comparing noise levels between rooms
• Tracking whether a room gets noisier at certain times
• Getting rough numbers to share with facilities teams

How to use a sound level app

1. Download a sound level meter app (many free options available).
2. Place your phone on the table, microphone facing up.
3. Measure for at least 30 seconds with HVAC running normally.
4. Note the average level (not just the peaks).

Interpreting results

• Under 40 dB SPL: Good background noise level.
• 40-45 dB SPL: Acceptable, but noise may be noticeable on calls.
• Over 45 dB SPL: Problematic - noise will compete with speech.

Limitations

• Phone microphones aren't calibrated - readings may be off by 5-10 dB.
• Can't measure echo (RT60) reliably.
• Can't map microphone coverage.
• Results vary by phone model and app.

Purpose-Built Tools

Tools designed specifically for conference room assessment offer more than generic sound level apps:

What purpose-built tools provide

• Echo measurement (RT60): Actual decay time, not just "sounds echoey."
• Noise stability: Not just level, but whether noise is consistent or fluctuating.
• Coverage mapping: Visual map of where the microphone can hear.
• Quality validation: Checks that the measurement is reliable before reporting.
• Room-appropriate targets: What's "good" depends on room size.
• Comparison to benchmarks: How this room compares to others.

When to use purpose-built tools

• Portfolio assessment: When you need to compare many rooms objectively.
• Before/after measurement: To verify that treatment actually improved the room.
• Justifying investment: Data helps make the case for acoustic treatment or equipment upgrades.
• Troubleshooting: When quick tests reveal a problem but you need specifics.

Professional Measurement

For certification, compliance, or critical spaces, professional acoustic measurement is required.

What professional measurement involves

• Calibrated Class 1 or Class 2 microphones: Accuracy traceable to standards.
• Standardized sound sources: Dodecahedron speakers or starter pistols for impulse response.
• Multiple measurement positions: Averages across the room, not just one spot.
• Frequency-band analysis: RT60 and noise broken down by frequency.
• Full documentation: Reports suitable for certification or regulatory compliance.

When you need professional measurement

• Certification: LEED, WELL, or other building certification programs.
• Regulatory compliance: Spaces with specific acoustic requirements.
• New construction sign-off: Verifying that contractors met specifications.
• Litigation or disputes: When measurements may be challenged.
• Critical spaces: Boardrooms, studios, or spaces where audio quality is paramount.

What professional measurement costs

Expect $500-2000+ per room depending on complexity, location, and reporting requirements. For a portfolio of many rooms, screening tools can identify which rooms actually need professional measurement.

Method Comparison

Recommended approach

1. Start with quick tests to identify rooms with obvious problems.
2. Use a purpose-built tool to get measurements and prioritize which rooms need treatment.
3. Reserve professional measurement for certification or spaces where precision matters.

Most rooms don't need professional measurement - they need someone to actually test them and act on the results.