The theory of the acoustical properties of symmetric multilayers has been presented previously [Martin, J. Appl. Phys. 66, 1931(1989)], but no experimental results were included for the purpose of comparison. In the investigation discussed below, both calculated and experimental results are presented on the use of acoustical symmetric multilayers (ASMs) as antireflection (AR) coatings for a variety of coating and substrate materials. Results indicate that there is good agreement between calculation and measurement.