The purpose of this paper is to present a case study whereby a hybrid experimental–numerical model is used to analyse the structure-borne radiation from a domestic product (vacuum cleaner head). The passive (including radiative) properties of the structure are modelled using the hybrid FE-SEA method. The product's operational activity, which lies beyond the capabilities of conventional modelling methods, is characterised experimentally using inverse force identification. The identified forces and passive model are combined to form a so called hybrid FE-SEA-eXperimental model of the assembly. The FE-SEA-X model is then used to identify dominant contributions from the assembly's sub-components.