Cabin noise comparison: 12/2017 Model S vs 1/2018 Model 3

[run-the-joules]

Decided to get measurements with the service loaner Model S vs my Model 3, for those who care. The Model S had a whopping 108 miles more than my 3 when I turned it back in compared to when I got home.

All measurements taken using "Decibel X" version 6.1.0 on iPhone X running iOS 11.2.5

Moving samples were captured on the same general stretch of road, with the phone directly in front of the steering wheel airbag but not touching.

The idle measurements are taken in my office parking lot with minimal nearby traffic, but not completely silent. I didn't think to capture the S in my garage with the door closed, which would have been ideal.


Model S - December 2017 build, 19" wheels:

0mph, fan off, 30 seconds: avg 49.6dB, max 51.8dB
0mph, fan set to 3, 30 seconds: avg 68.4dB, max 68.6dB

65mph, fan off, on smooth surface, 10 seconds: avg 84.0dB, max 87.4dB


Model 3 - January 2017 build, 18" wheels:

0mph, fan off, 30 seconds: avg 51.2dB, max 52.6dB
0mph, fan set to 3, 30 seconds: avg 56.9dB, 58.5dB

65mph, fan off, on smooth surface, 10 seconds: avg 82.8dB, max 85.0dB

 

[tpoltron]

Nice, thanks!

 

[ℬête Noire]

Any noticeable differences in frequency profiles? I've not used Decibel X but my understanding is that it can do some basic spectrum analysis.

 

[T34ME]

What type of roof on the MS?

 

[run-the-joules]

What type of roof on the MS?

All glass.

 

[run-the-joules]

Any noticeable differences in frequency profiles? I've not used Decibel X but my understanding is that it can do some basic spectrum analysis.

Ah dang. Didn’t think to check that.

 

[ℬête Noire]

Ah dang. Didn’t think to check that.

No worries, thanks for the effort.

Did you happen to subjectively notice anything?

 

[viet658]

That's good info. I felt like my S was quieter though. BTW does your model 3 have any wind noises with the windows up? I'm thinking that is what makes my model 3 feel louder than the S.

 

[dragoljub]

Yup our three is noticeably louder on freeways. It really sounds more like tire noise than wind noise to me.

 

[ℬête Noire]

That's good info. I felt like my S was quieter though. BTW does your model 3 have any wind noises with the windows up? I'm thinking that is what makes my model 3 feel louder than the S.

How's the alignment on your panels and glass roof? With some of the dodgy alignment with some units I could see wind noise becoming an issue.

 

[03DSG]

Yup our three is noticeably louder on freeways. It really sounds more like tire noise than wind noise to me.

Interesting since the test showed the 3 quieter at 65 on the highway.

 

[electracity]

Interesting since the test showed the 3 quieter at 65 on the highway.

Its shows the same noise level between cars. 3db is a noticeable difference. The quality/frequency level of noise is likely different between vehicles. So some people may choose one over the other.

 

[viet658]

How's the alignment on your panels and glass roof? With some of the dodgy alignment with some units I could see wind noise becoming an issue.

Glass alignment looks fine to me. Nothing that really stands out.

 

[David29]

Very interesting! Especially since the majority of comments I have read have suggested that Model 3 was noisier.
I had a brief ride in a Model 3, but never got on a freeway, sop speeds probably never exceeded 45 or 50. My own sense was that Model 3 was fairly quiet, but that was a very subjective observation.

 

[Xhning]

Yup our three is noticeably louder on freeways. It really sounds more like tire noise than wind noise to me.[/QUOTE

 

[Xhning]

Subjectively our M3 is noisier than MX. The tire noise is very clear at high way speed.

 

[22522]

Great report! Thank you.

 

[T34ME]

Perhaps the road noise is related to tires. The 19" Continentals are not particularly quiet tires, whereas TireRack says the 18" Michelin Primacys are much quieter. You really need to compare what tires are on the various MS's and what are on the 3's. The OP compared his 18" Michelins to whatever was on his MS loaner.

 

[run-the-joules]

Perhaps the road noise is related to tires. The 19" Continentals are not particularly quiet tires, whereas TireRack says the 18" Michelin Primacys are much quieter. You really need to compare what tires are on the various MS's and what are on the 3's. The OP compared his 18" Michelins to whatever was on his MS loaner.

Whatever currently comes on the base 19 inch wheels for the S. It was only a month and change old so I’m assuming the supplier hasn’t changed since then.

 

[DaveT]

I did a test with my Model 3 and my 2013 P85 on the same 5 mile strip of freeway at the same speed and same time of day. My Model 3 was 2dB louder than my P85, according to my iPhone decibel tracking app.