Learning center / Acoustics fundamentals

Absorption vs soundproofing

Why acoustic panels do not soundproof, and what does.

2 minute read · Updated Nov 2026

Absorption reduces sound reflecting inside a room. Soundproofing (sound isolation) reduces sound passing between rooms. They use opposite kinds of materials: soft, porous and light for absorption; heavy, airtight and isolated for soundproofing.

See STC vs NRC.