Not all office pods are equal: the science behind true silence

Silence is golden — especially in an open-plan office. But when every pod claims to be “soundproof,” how can you tell which ones actually deliver? In this post, we’ll break down the science behind real sound reduction, what the decibel numbers actually mean, and how to spot the difference between marketing talk and genuine silence.

The two sides of sound reduction

Good sound reduction works in two directions. First, how well the pod keeps your voice from leaking out. This is called speech level reduction and is measured in decibels (dB) using the ISO 23351-1 standard. Second, how well the pod keeps outside noise from coming in, which is measured as airborne sound insulation (R’w). Together, these values give a realistic picture of how quiet and private a pod truly is. Surprisingly, most manufacturers only talk about one — or avoid both altogether.

What do the decibels mean?

Typical open‑plan offices hover around 55–65 dB, about as loud as casual conversation and well below harmful levels, but loud enough to strain focus and privacy. Human speech normally measures 60–70 dB, whispers sit near 30 dB, while louder sounds (like shouting) can reach 100 dB.

So what does it actually mean when we say our pods block external noise up to 43 dB? It means a 60 dB office buzz gets reduced to about 17 dB — quieter than a library. And when our pods reduce speech levels by up to 32 dB, a normal conversation drops to just 28 dB outside — think whisper-level. As a rule, once speech leakage falls below 40 dB, words become quite difficult to understand. That’s the mark of a truly quiet pod.

What to look for in a truly quiet pod?

Not all “quiet” pods are created equal, and not all dB claims tell the full story. The only reliable baseline for measuring speech privacy is the ISO 23351-1 certification, which shows how well a pod reduces sound leaving the space. But even certifications can be misleading. Some brands claim to meet Class A standards without proper testing — and unfortunately, those numbers can be manipulated. A pod might seem quiet in a calm showroom, but real offices are another matter.

That’s why we recommend going beyond the spec sheets. The best way to compare pods is to test them side by side and listen. Silen pods, for example, have been tested both in real-world conditions and at the Turku University of Applied Sciences. The results? Up to 43 dB of external noise blocked and up to 32 dB of speech reduction, making normal conversation indecipherable outside. That’s not “soundproof” (and legally, it can’t be), but it’s as close to silence as a pod can get.

It’s also worth paying attention to how a pod achieves its quietness. Some pods try to boost their sound reduction by using loud ventilation or background noise to mask speech. But this doesn’t reduce noise — it just adds more of it. At Silen, we take a different approach. We use natural sound reduction, combining acoustic materials, laminated glass, and ventilation ducts with built-in sound traps to block sound without polluting the office environment.

To wrap up…

When choosing a pod, don’t settle for vague promises or showroom impressions. Look for certified data, not just decibel numbers in isolation. A truly quiet pod will show both how much sound it blocks from the outside and how well it contains what’s said inside — ideally measured using the ISO 23351-1 standard. Most brands don’t show both. Silen does.

Making an informed choice now saves frustration later. Ask for proof, not just marketing fluff. Even better — test different pods in your own office. In the end, silence should be something you experience, not just something you’re told.

👉 Listen to the silence in Silen pods.

Ready to turn down the noise and turn up the focus? We’d be happy to help!  Reach out here.