The goal of this research is to define and present the methods of acoustical characterization of devices based on sound quality evaluation using both objective and subjective parameters. The research has been conducted for three types of hand-held power tools from the viewpoint of the end user. The definition of sound quality has been given in the context of this research, the reasons and goals of acoustical characterization have been explained and the common approach to sound quality evaluation from the viewpoint of the manufacturer has been presented. A set of objective parameters has been proposed for use in sound quality evaluation for different phases of operation. Both newly defined and existing parameters have been considered. The emphasis was made on defining the parameters used for describing the properties of the sound the devices emit during stopping. A set of subjective parameters has been proposed to be used for sound quality evaluation. A strict distinction of these parameters has been proposed as sound descriptors, sound perception descriptors and device perception descriptors. The procedure for collecting the sound samples of real devices has been defined and the preparation procedure for raw samples has been explained. The procedure of conducting subjective listening tests has been established. A computer application has been made for synthesizing sounds of different types of devices and another set of subjective tests have been conducted using this application. The relevance of certain subjective parameters for sound quality evaluation and the correlation between them has been determined. The examination has been made of the influence the listeners’ experience in working with the devices has on forming of their judgments about the properties of the devices and their sound. The comparison has been made between real and synthesized sound samples in order to ascertain the trends that have to be accounted for in sound design of these types of devices. An estimate has been made on the influence the perception of sound has on perception of the properties of a device. The analysis of correlation between objective and subjective parameters has established sets of objective parameters to be used for describing certain sound perception descriptors and device perception descriptors. Linear regression models of these descriptors have been made and examined based on the sets of objective parameters found in correlation analysis.