SAA averages twelve one-third-octave bands from 200 to 2,500 Hz instead of four octave bands, and is not rounded to 0.05. It gives a slightly more precise single number. Compare like with like: do not compare one product's NRC with another's SAA.
Learning center / Acoustics fundamentals
NRC vs SAA
The Sound Absorption Average and why some specs use it.
2 minute read · Updated Nov 2026