An acoustic attenuator includes a housing having an inner side surface which defines an interior chamber and at least one dampening member both physically and acoustically coupled to the housing and projecting into the interior chamber. Acoustic energy propagating within the housing is deflected into the dampening members for acoustically dispersal within the interior chamber. In various aspects thereof, the dampening members may include one or a group of two or more generally cylindrical sleeves having one end both physically and acoustically coupled to the housing and a second end projecting into the interior chamber. Preferably, when a group of two or more cylindrical sleeves are employed, the sleeves are nested within one another. The dampening members may further include a second, oppositely disposed, group of two or more acoustic attenuators nested within one another and interdigitated with the first group of cylindrical sleeves.