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- Custom half inch marine grade interior liners for maximum sound deadening and heat/cold insulation (tested and proven to be 15-20 decibels quieter than the OEM hardtop
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Because decibels (dB) are measured on a logarithmic rather than linear scale, a 15 to 20 dB reduction is far more significant than it may sound. It reflects a major decrease in both sound pressure and perceived loudness.
A 3-dB reduction cuts sound energy in half. A 10-dB reduction represents a 90% drop in sound energy and is generally perceived by the human ear as roughly half as loud. A 15-20 dB reduction suggests an even more substantial decrease, making the interior sound approximately 3 to 4 times quieter than the stock setup.
According to Armadillo Designs, this notable reduction in cabin noise comes from the top's materials and aerodynamic design rather than the use of fiberglass alone.
Armadillo Designs uses a 1/2-inch marine-grade EVA foam liner throughout the interior instead of a thin carpet backing. This thick, high-density ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam helps absorb mid- to high-frequency airborne noise, such as wind whistle and tire hum. The top also features a rigid aluminum shell, which resists vibration and resonance better than fiberglass or plastic under heavy wind load, helping reduce the low-frequency booming often heard at highway speeds. In addition, the integrated front fairing is shaped to smooth the airflow coming off the windshield, reducing turbulence before it can move across the roof panels and create additional wind noise.
That said, while the insulation and rigid shell should make the cabin noticeably quieter and more comfortable on long drives, achieving a true 20 dB reduction across the full frequency spectrum in an off-road vehicle would be extremely difficult.
Even if a hardtop greatly reduces overhead wind noise, a large share of highway cabin noise still enters through the floorboards, doors, side glass, and aggressive tire tread. As a result, the company's "tested and proven" figures likely reflect a specific noise frequency or pressure point—such as wind whistle near the windshield header—where the fairing and insulation provide the greatest benefit.
We did not use a decibel meter to measure the difference before and after installation, but we did notice a clear improvement in sound levels. In our opinion, the Armadillo Designs top is quieter. We can now carry on a conversation without raising our voices, and listening to music is much more enjoyable. As an added bonus, it also provides approximately three more inches of headroom.
A 3-dB reduction cuts sound energy in half. A 10-dB reduction represents a 90% drop in sound energy and is generally perceived by the human ear as roughly half as loud. A 15-20 dB reduction suggests an even more substantial decrease, making the interior sound approximately 3 to 4 times quieter than the stock setup.
According to Armadillo Designs, this notable reduction in cabin noise comes from the top's materials and aerodynamic design rather than the use of fiberglass alone.
Armadillo Designs uses a 1/2-inch marine-grade EVA foam liner throughout the interior instead of a thin carpet backing. This thick, high-density ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam helps absorb mid- to high-frequency airborne noise, such as wind whistle and tire hum. The top also features a rigid aluminum shell, which resists vibration and resonance better than fiberglass or plastic under heavy wind load, helping reduce the low-frequency booming often heard at highway speeds. In addition, the integrated front fairing is shaped to smooth the airflow coming off the windshield, reducing turbulence before it can move across the roof panels and create additional wind noise.
That said, while the insulation and rigid shell should make the cabin noticeably quieter and more comfortable on long drives, achieving a true 20 dB reduction across the full frequency spectrum in an off-road vehicle would be extremely difficult.
Even if a hardtop greatly reduces overhead wind noise, a large share of highway cabin noise still enters through the floorboards, doors, side glass, and aggressive tire tread. As a result, the company's "tested and proven" figures likely reflect a specific noise frequency or pressure point—such as wind whistle near the windshield header—where the fairing and insulation provide the greatest benefit.
We did not use a decibel meter to measure the difference before and after installation, but we did notice a clear improvement in sound levels. In our opinion, the Armadillo Designs top is quieter. We can now carry on a conversation without raising our voices, and listening to music is much more enjoyable. As an added bonus, it also provides approximately three more inches of headroom.
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At 75 mph with 37” MT tires I measured 97db at times in the Soft top, measured 83 with the Armadillo, 88 with the Turn Hard top.
Any given measurement can be skewed depending on outside headwinds/crosswinds at that time, Semi trucks passing, road condition, etc.
Unless you’re just looking to pick a hill to die on regarding their claim, the Armadillo is noticeably and considerably quieter than the two above, and I’ve heard the factory ST and HT only carry about a 3db delta between them.
Any given measurement can be skewed depending on outside headwinds/crosswinds at that time, Semi trucks passing, road condition, etc.
Unless you’re just looking to pick a hill to die on regarding their claim, the Armadillo is noticeably and considerably quieter than the two above, and I’ve heard the factory ST and HT only carry about a 3db delta between them.
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I’ve done some experimenting with sound deadening on my wildtrak. I have 37’s portals and loud upper control arms due to the heim joints and delta joint.
the noise or loudness I found came from the noise from the frame and floor and even though did some super extensive closed cell foam and different liners as part of a system in the hardtop, the insulation on the hardtop was beneficial for absorbing the sound once in the cabin. I added second skin closed cell over 100 percent of the fiberglass then layered turn off-road foam liner and added carpet over the remaining parts of the hard top. ALSo kilo mat the fiberglass panels.
The largest benefit came from floor and doors. I documented the entire process. Drove the same speeds on the same road and the same temperature, wind and time of day
My goal was to see how quiet I could make a brick and even compared it to an Audi q7.
Hope these results in real life are helpful.
I’m in process of editing the video and will be on my YouTube channel soon for those that would like to nerd out with me.
I’m doing one more drive test today with the fake engine noise off. I have noticed a massive improvement inside with out the fake noise. Will post results soon.
the noise or loudness I found came from the noise from the frame and floor and even though did some super extensive closed cell foam and different liners as part of a system in the hardtop, the insulation on the hardtop was beneficial for absorbing the sound once in the cabin. I added second skin closed cell over 100 percent of the fiberglass then layered turn off-road foam liner and added carpet over the remaining parts of the hard top. ALSo kilo mat the fiberglass panels.
The largest benefit came from floor and doors. I documented the entire process. Drove the same speeds on the same road and the same temperature, wind and time of day
My goal was to see how quiet I could make a brick and even compared it to an Audi q7.
Hope these results in real life are helpful.
I’m in process of editing the video and will be on my YouTube channel soon for those that would like to nerd out with me.
I’m doing one more drive test today with the fake engine noise off. I have noticed a massive improvement inside with out the fake noise. Will post results soon.
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Nice work.I’ve done some experimenting with sound deadening on my wildtrak. I have 37’s portals and loud upper control arms due to the heim joints and delta joint.
the noise or loudness I found came from the noise from the frame and floor and even though did some super extensive closed cell foam and different liners as part of a system in the hardtop, the insulation on the hardtop was beneficial for absorbing the sound once in the cabin. I added second skin closed cell over 100 percent of the fiberglass then layered turn off-road foam liner and added carpet over the remaining parts of the hard top. ALSo kilo mat the fiberglass panels.
The largest benefit came from floor and doors. I documented the entire process. Drove the same speeds on the same road and the same temperature, wind and time of day
My goal was to see how quiet I could make a brick and even compared it to an Audi q7.
Hope these results in real life are helpful.
I’m in process of editing the video and will be on my YouTube channel soon for those that would like to nerd out with me.
Agreed the floors and doors help a ton.
My analysis above without charts and such is probably not a fair comparison because during all that I also stripped it down and added XMat everywhere, even inside the doors and up the sides of the tub in the rear (and even some on the insides of the rear cargo large panels).
it was a substantial improvement.
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So how do you turn off the fake engine noise? I'm curious
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Thanks,
So by doing this process, does the Bronco becomes more quiet in the inside?
So by doing this process, does the Bronco becomes more quiet in the inside?
It does. But you might miss the rumble of the engine. It was somewhat a disappointment… here I thought it was a tough v6. Nah just a quiet tough v6. Ha.
The nice thing is you can always change it back if you don’t like it. But most likely the engine noise you are hearing is fake so by removing it you remove the low rumble
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