Considering acoustics in new builds, is often overlooked by design teams. If you are a member of the design community or the end user, an appreciation of the importance of acoustic treatment and its potential to improve not just the audio performance of an installed system, but the aesthetics of the space, is extremely valuable.
You don’t have to have an intimate knowledge of how sound behaves in a space and the technology surrounding how to acoustically treat it, to appreciate these things are important when creating high-performance audio-visual systems. Designers should also be aware of the basic principle that good acoustics promote pleasant surroundings and experiences.
What is happening with acoustics?
We know that for many centuries different cultures have understood the importance of this and have considered acoustics in their new builds. Mosques, Roman, Greek and Victorian theatres were all designed using precise acoustic principles. Move forward to the modern era and we can use this same knowledge to make sure the homes and buildings we design are pleasant to be in and provide a good backdrop to enjoy audio of all types. It is also worth noting that the products now used to control audio within a building have reached an important stage in their development where they can also be used to improve the aesthetics of any given space.
Without needing to understand the full complexities of what is happening with audio in any given area, it’s worth understanding a little about what is happening when we begin to think about creating the conditions necessary for a strong audio experience. When approaching any project, our team need to be aware of the size and shape of the room, this has a big impact on how sound will behave and what you need to do to combat any potential issues. Absorbing reflected soundwaves is another are key area. We want to stop audio bouncing around in a space to ensure it is focused and reaches the ears of the listener at the right time and only once.
Speaker placement is also important, understanding why speakers perform better in certain positions informs how we approach each need of the project.
What is the approach to considering acoustics?
Noise isolation to a certain extent, is a separate issue, it is not the same as acoustic treatment, but it is also important to know how to stop sound from traveling from one room to another if required. Seating arrangement is another area that has an impact on audio. A good AV installer will also understand how to deal with HVAC systems and the impact they can have on acoustics, particularly in a home cinema environment.
So, once we have established what the acoustic challenges might be in any given space, we can make choices about what products and treatments we will use to deal with those issues.
As a member of the design community or an end user, it is not necessary to understand what these products are doing, the most important thing to realise at this point is that these products provide an aesthetic opportunity to improve not only what you hear, but how the space feels and how it looks.
Many of the room acoustic treatments and panels used to control audio offer a palette of colours and textures where designers can express themselves in terms of designs on new builds and refurbs. The end user can choose their own images or artwork to be displayed on the acoustic treatment systems, creating the ultimate expression between form and function. There are systems we can also use that melt into the background so anyone entering the space will not be aware of their presence, only the impact they have on improving the sound. It is also worth remembering that acoustic treatment of a space should not be restricted to home cinemas, media rooms or areas where listening to music will take place. We have customers who like to go into their cinema just to read because inside the space the atmosphere is one of calm. We can create the same condition for lots of other areas such as dining rooms, living rooms, home offices and kitchens. This helps to create pleasant atmospheric conditions that lack the unpleasant echoey nature that some interiors, especially spaces with lots of hard surfaces, can exhibit. Solutions for these types of areas really don’t need to be that expensive as we work with some products that are very reasonably priced but have a good outcome and look great.
Also, don’t forget commercial spaces, many businesses like restaurants suffer from bad acoustics, they can lose custom because of it. Considering the acoustics in these new build or refurb projects add to the creation of cosy and intimate atmospheres for businesses. This is another area where designers can prosper. In conclusion, working with an experienced AV installer such as Prestige Audio allows the design community to create spaces that look and feel amazing. Well designed and well executed acoustics create environments that end user will love with their ears and eyes.