This study explored the claim that invariant acoustic properties corresponding to phonetic features generalize across languages. Experiment I examined whether the same invariant properties can characterize diffuse stop consonants in Malayalam, French, and English. Results showed that, contrary to theoretical predictions, we could not distinguish labials from dentals, nor could we classify dentals and alveolars together in terms of the same invariant properties. We developed an alternative metric based on the change in the distribution of spectral energy from the burst onset to the onset of voicing. This metric classified over 91% of the stops in Malayalam, French, and English. In experiment II, we investigated whether the invariant properties defined by the metric are used by English‐speaking listeners in making phonetic decisions for place of articulation. Prototype CV syllables—[b d] in the context of [i e a o u]—were synthesized. The gross shape of the spectrum was manipulated first at the burst onset, then at the onset of voicing, such that the stimulus configuration had the spectral properties prescribed by our metric for labial and dental consonants, while the formant frequencies and transitions were appropriate to the contrasting place of articulation. Results of identification tests showed that listeners were able to perceive place of articulation as a function of the relative distribution of spectral energy specified by the metric.