The Minnesota anechoic chamber at Orfield Laboratories is one of the most famous acoustic test rooms in the world. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this highly controlled room is designed to absorb nearly all sound reflections, creating an exceptionally quiet environment. It is used for acoustic research, product testing and studies of human sensory perception.
Where Is the Minnesota Anechoic Chamber Located?
The chamber is located at Orfield Laboratories, 2709 East 25th Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Orfield Laboratories is an accredited acoustic laboratory that conducts testing for consumer products, industrial equipment, building materials and architectural acoustics.
Why Is the Minnesota Anechoic Chamber Famous?
The Minnesota anechoic chamber is famous because Guinness World Records has recognised the chamber at Orfield Laboratories as the “Quietest Place on Earth.” It has recorded an ambient noise level of approximately -24.9 dBA. Due to the near-silent environment, visitors can become more aware of normally unnoticed sounds, including their breathing, heartbeat and blood flow.
What Technology Is Used in the Chamber?
The room is built using advanced acoustic isolation and sound-absorption technology. Its walls, ceiling and floor are covered with deep sound-absorbing wedges that reduce echoes and stop sound from reflecting back into the room. The chamber is also isolated from external noise and vibration, which helps create a highly controlled free-field acoustic environment.
A suspended mesh floor allows sound-absorbing treatment to continue underneath the person or product being tested. This design helps engineers measure how products produce, absorb or transmit sound without normal room reflections affecting the results.
What Is the Minnesota Anechoic Chamber Used For?
The chamber is used to test loudspeakers, appliances, vehicles, electronic devices, building materials and other products. It allows engineers to measure sound power, sound absorption, vibration and noise performance accurately. Anechoic chambers are also valuable for RF, antenna and EMC testing where controlled conditions are essential for dependable results.
For another remarkable example of extreme silence and the science behind it, read our detailed guide on the Quietest Room in the World Challenge. It explains how anechoic rooms create near-silent conditions and why spending time inside them can feel unusual.
JV Micronics designs customised anechoic chamber solutions for acoustic, RF, antenna and EMC testing applications. Each chamber can be configured according to the required frequency range, test standards, available space, measurement accuracy and equipment specifications.
