Anechoic 💫

 

At Microsoft's Redmond headquarters, there's an anechoic chamber certified by Guinness World Records as the "quietest place in the world." Its background noise has been measured at approximately -20.6 A-weighted decibels, well below the conventional threshold of hearing.

In this space, sensations become unusual: many visitors report clearly hearing their heartbeat or the creaking of joints. Staying there for long periods can be unpleasant, so much so that not everyone can last more than a few minutes.

The chamber was designed for device testing: here, engineers analyze the most subtle sounds from Surface, HoloLens, and other products, free from any external interference. The soundproofing doesn't silence the loudest noises, but attenuates them to surprising levels.

Beyond its technical function, this unique environment demonstrates how sound influences our perception. In an acoustic vacuum, the inner world appears louder than the outside.