How They Compare
Cat-Ears / AirStreamz compared to a similar looking wind-blocking product introduced a year after Cat-Ears.
Technology
The importance of materials engineering cannot be overstated. Characteristics like texture, porosity, resistance, permeability, and diffusion are evaluated for wind noise reduction effectiveness across a range of wind speeds and turbulence levels. In this regard, we are the only cycling associated company to hold a wind noise reduction utility patent (#9078482B2 - Sound Permeable Wind Noise Reduction Device).
Patented Porosity
Our products are made with porous materials that interact with the wind to reduce velocity and turbulence intensity. Porous materials have benefits for flow-control by introducing a fluid permeable medium that modifies the boundary layer, shear layer, and wake characteristics. The penetrable surface absorbs turbulence. In addition, surface flow interaction with the soft fibers reduces velocity and rotational intensity - further reducing wind noise.
Wind Flow Depiction
Passive control of wind velocity / vorticity using porous material vs. bluff body instabilities and wake buffeting.
Figures 1 and 2: Depiction of wind flow interacting with porous material vs. a solid bluff body.
Wind Flow Visualization
The wind flow and interaction characteristics noted above can be seen in the wind tunnel visualizations below:
Images 1 and 2: Visualization of wind flow interacting with our porous material vs. a bluff body.
Wind Flow Measurements
Using both hot-wires and pressure sensors, wind flow / interaction characteristics noted above are shown below. Velocity and vorticity over the AirStreamz decreases due to the porous material interaction. Wind velocity over the Wind Blocking product accelerates and contributes to wake instabilities / vortices - impacting the outer ear / pinna.
Figures 3 and 4: a) hotwire anemometer placed adjacent to the WNR products. b) Pressure probes placed adjacent to the WNR products and at the rear of the concha. c) sine wave / turbulent pressure fluctuations.
Related Academic Research
Turbulence distribution for pile-fabric vs. smooth bluff body and wind tunnel flow visualization (20 mph) by Cat-Ears. Cat-Ears / AirStreamz are made with pile fabrics vs. wind blocking smooth fabric.
As demonstrated above, porous pile fabric significantly modifies turbulence.
Cat-Ears / AirStreamz are acoustically transparent - so they are also safer for road cycling.
Hear the Difference Between Products @ 15 mph
Cat-Ears / AirStreamz also have 25% more Left and Right Yaw effectiveness.
While they claim to reduce ~80% of wind noise, the Adventure Cycling Association (ACA) noted:
"ACA's opinion is the product blocks +/- up to 50% of wind noise".
MATLAB analysis of the Wind-Blocking website audio files (with and without their product)
also concluded that the actual wind noise reduction is well below 60%.
Independent AI Analysis
Gemini AI Deep Research
W-B and C-E Audio Files
AI Results are below:
Cat-Ears are the most effective product at reducing wind noise among the ones analyzed. Here's why:
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Overall dBA Reduction: Cat-Ears achieved a reduction of 15.43 dBA from the baseline "Wind Noise". In comparison, Wind-Blox achieved a reduction of 9.67 dBA from the baseline. Tested speed was 20 mph.
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Perceived Loudness: A 15.43 dBA reduction, as provided by Cat-Ears, is perceived as significantly quieter than a 9.670 dBA reduction from Wind-Blox. A 3 bBA difference is considered noticeable, and a difference of approximately 5.76 dBA between Cat-Ears and Wind-Blox means Cat-Ears would be perceived as considerably quieter. (Undedited Gemini AI Deep Research summary)
Cat-Ears A/S are made in the USA. The Wind-Blox product originates from Pakistan.