Acoustics Blogs

Acoustic Design in a Conference or Meeting Room.

Acoustic design is an essential aspect of creating a productive and comfortable conference room. The acoustics of a room can have a significant impact on the quality of sound and speech intelligibility.

Acoustic panels are used to create an acoustical environment conducive to discussion over the length of long boardroom tables.

When designing a conference room, it is important to consider the size of the room, the number of people who will be using it, and the type of activities that will take place in the room.

Size - The size of the room will determine the amount of sound-absorbing materials that will be needed to achieve the desired level of sound quality. The larger the room the more panels and the more ceiling and wall coverage that will be required.

People - The number of people who will be using the room will determine the amount of sound that will be generated and the amount of sound-absorbing materials that will be needed to achieve the desired level of sound quality. For example, if ten or more people attend meetings and sit around a long boardroom table then sufficient ceiling acoustic panels will be required to cover the entire table and seating area.

Activities - The type of activities that will take place in the room will determine the type of sound-absorbing materials that will be needed to achieve the desired level of sound quality.

Video Conferencing - if the meeting room is also used for video conferencing, additional acoustic panels or screens will be required on the wall opposite the screen and speakers to absorb the sound from the front speakers bouncing from the back wall.
If more than four people are attending the video conference then multiple microphones will be required. And if the microphones are located on the table top then acoustic mats should be placed under them to stop resonance from the table.

In addition to acoustic panels, there are other design elements that can be used to improve the acoustics of a conference room. These include ceiling tiles in suspended ceilings, carpeting, and wall coverings.

In conclusion - acoustic design is an essential aspect of creating a productive and comfortable conference room. By considering the size of the room, the number of people who will be using it, and the type of activities that will take place in the room, you can create an acoustical environment that is conducive to discussion and collaboration.

The Importance of Acoustic Treatment in School Classrooms

The impact of background noise and reverberation in schools has a greater impact on students and teachers than might first be realized. Improving classrooms with acoustic treatment can help reduce stress on pupils while improving their focus, creativity, and attainment. Teachers and staff also benefit because they do not have to talk so loud and therefore they are less tired and stressed at the end of a school day.

The main reason for poor classroom acoustics is too much reverberation.

Reverberation is the persistence of sound in a space after the original sound has stopped. Reverberation can make it difficult to understand speech and can cause sounds to blend together, making it hard to distinguish between them.

Acoustically treated spaces supply a much better classroom and learning experience due to providing significantly better sound quality, which in turn creates conditions for better concentration, achievement, and wellbeing for pupils and teachers alike.

To acoustically treat a classroom, one can use a range of materials such as acoustic panels on ceilings and walls and acoustic screens. These materials absorb sound and reduce reverberation.

Solution - Polyester (PET) acoustic panels and screens are most popular because they are easily installed, meet all New Zealand building, health and fire regulations, are approved by the NZ Department of Education and they are extremely effective at reducing classroom noise.
The acoustic panels are typically installed on ceilings because over 70% of classroom noise is generated by floor to ceiling sound reflections. Panels may also be installed on walls and these are also pinnable.


In conclusion - acoustic treatment in school classrooms is crucial for creating a conducive learning environment. It helps to reduce stress on pupils, improve focus, creativity, and attainment, and create better conditions for concentration, achievement, and wellbeing for pupils and teachers alike.

The Value of Acoustics in Cafes and Restaurants

Acoustics play a crucial role in the success of cafes and restaurants. The acoustics of a cafe or restaurant are influenced by the type of restaurant, the type of room, and the ratio of sound-reflecting to sound-absorbing surfaces. Good acoustics are important for understanding each other well and reducing the sound level and the energy cost of having a conversation.

Some of the factors affecting room acoustics include the type of restaurant (cafe, bar, fine dining, food hall), the type of room (shape, volume, ceiling height, open kitchen, people capacity), and the ratio of sound-reflecting surface areas to sound-absorbing ones. To improve room acoustics, we generally need to absorb sound.

Research from Charles Spence found that sweetness, saltiness, and overall appeal "liking" of the food increases in quieter environments (45-55dB) and goes down significantly in louder environments (75-85dB). If the food is important, acoustics should be too.

To improve the acoustics of a cafe or restaurant, sound absorption is generally needed. While there are several factors involved in optimizing the acoustics of restaurants and cafes, there is a solution available to suit your space, no matter the layout or design. Not only can sound absorption reduce health risks to your staff and patrons, but also make for a brighter and more comfortable atmosphere for everyone.

Solution - the most popular solution is Polyester (PET) ceiling acoustic panels because over 70% of unwanted noise in a room is created by floor to ceiling sound reflections (reverberation) - as opposed to wall to wall reflections. This is because of the hard table tops, bar, counters and flooring which is also often made from hard materials like wood, concrete or tiles.




Quantity - 36% ceiling coverage is normally adequate for moderately noisy rooms and 50% for very busy rooms.

Installation - most typically bars, cafes and restaurants will suspend the panels from the ceiling, rather than direct fix the panels with glue. The advantages of suspension are:
1.Suspended panels absorb 100% more lower mid and bass frequencies (e.g. male voices)
2.No damage to the ceilings.
3.Panels are easily removed for maintenance e.g. repainting of ceilings.
4.They look very cool.

In conclusion - good acoustics are essential for creating a comfortable and enjoyable dining experience. They help to reduce stress on customers, improve focus, creativity, and attainment, and create better conditions for concentration, achievement, and well being for customers and staff alike.

What Do Acoustic Panels Do?

Acoustic panels are sound-absorbing materials that are used to reduce the amount of echo and reverberation in a room. When sound waves occur, they bounce off the walls, ceiling, and other surfaces, creating echoes and unwanted noise that can distort the quality of the sound. Acoustic panels are designed to absorb sound waves, preventing them from bouncing around a room and interfering with other sound waves.

Acoustic panels work by trapping sound waves within the materials they are made of. Since all sound is vibrations in the air, acoustic panels act as a sort of cave that the sound waves can travel into, but not out of.

The benefits of acoustic panels are numerous:

1.They can improve the sound quality of a room by reducing unwanted noise and echoes, making it easier to hear and understand speech and music.
2.They can also help to reduce stress and fatigue caused by prolonged exposure to loud noise. When selecting acoustic panels, it is important to consider the size of the room, the type of sound you want to absorb, and the aesthetic qualities of the panels. Acoustic Panels are most typically mounted primarily on the ceiling and then on the walls as required.

Quantity - if the room is "quite noisy" then a 36% ceiling coverage will make a big difference at a reasonable price. If the room is very noisy when busy then a 50% ceiling coverage will be required.

Applications - all cafes, school classrooms and meeting rooms require acoustic panels. Halls, offices, Churches and Theatres often also require acoustic panels.
The most popular acoustic panels are made of lightweight Polyester (PET - recycled plastic drink bottles) because they meet all NZ building, health and fire regulations and are very cost effective.

In conclusion - acoustic panels are an essential component of any room that requires high-quality sound. They are designed to absorb sound waves and reduce the amount of echo and reverberation in a room, making it easier to hear and understand speech and music. By selecting the right type of acoustic panel for your needs, you can create a more comfortable and productive work and leisure environment that is free from unwanted noise and distractions.