Most steady‐state methods for measuring the noise power of equipment and the sound absorption in a room depend on knowing the sound‐power output of a standard source. But the output of any sound source depends in principle on the radiation impedance presented to it, and this impedance is likely to change with the location of the source, as well as with changes in the amount and distribution of absorptive material in the room. Moreover, no generally accepted method has been available for measuring the sound‐power output directly. For these reasons, the validity of steady‐state methods has been under suspicion for some time. This paper comments on recent progress in making steady‐state methods respectable and calls attention to some remaining problems.