A systematic study has been made of physical and acoustic properties of 269 DSDP core samples representing a complete ooze‐chalk‐limestone sequence on the Ontong–Java Plateau (sites 288 and 289) and a sequence of clay‐rich carbonate sediments in the Coral Sea Basin (site 210). Gradational increases in density (ρ), compressional velocity (Vp), shear velocity (Vs), compressional and shear velocity anisotropies (Ap,As: horizontal velocities faster than vertical velocities), and shear velocity orientation anisotropy (Aso: horizontally propagated shear velocities are faster when the particle motion is horizontal rather than vertical) are directly related to increasing depth (subbottom) and diagenetic stage. Silica enrichment increases ρ,Vp, andVsbut does not significantly affectApandAs. Clay enrichment, on the other hand, decreases ρ,Vp, andVsand increasesApand, to a greater degree,As. It is found thatAp≳Asin carbonate sediments, whereasAs≳Apin clay‐rich sediments. Viable models are discussed to explain observed velocity anisotropy. Laboratory measurements agree with two previously published velocity‐depth functions determined by seismic wide‐angle measurements. A derived geoacoustic model accounts for the observed property‐depth‐diagenesis relationship for the first 1000 m of the ooze‐chalk‐limestone sequence, and predicts values of ρ,Vp,Vs, porosity (φ), Poisson’s ratio (σ), shear modulus (μ),Ap,As, andAs0.