Auditoriums uses Sound Absorbing Acoustic Panels and acoustic diffusers to deliver a rich, full music experience
Acoustic products that can absorb low frequency sounds and scatter high frequency sounds will deliver a richer and fuller acoustic experience
Two high school recently approached us with acoustic problems in their auditorium's to in the hope that the installation of acoustic diffusers or sound absorbing panels would fix the problem.
During school performances reverberation and echoes built up making it hard for the people in the middle of the auditorium to understand what the actors were saying and had problems clearly hearing the music. The school principals knew that the problem had to be addressed because while the audience on the side, front, and back of the room could hear fine.
Both principals wanted a low cost solution to fix the problem in time for the upcoming rehearsals and opening production. Suffering through another round of performances with subpar acoustics was not an option.
Melfoam Acoustics was contacted and it was determined that the theater needed
Sound Absorbing Panels and acoustic diffusers installed around the auditorium in order to help control some of the low frequency sounds while the addition of some acoustic diffusers helped scatter the sound energy evenly around the room, so that everybody could hear the performance properly.
It was recommended the school invest in 50mm thick acoustical baffles which could be easily suspended from the ceiling and acoustic diffuser panels around the wall.
After installing the acoustic baffles and acoustic diffusers, all the problems associated with sound reverberations were resolved and both schools now had functioning school auditoriums.
During school performances reverberation and echoes built up making it hard for the people in the middle of the auditorium to understand what the actors were saying and had problems clearly hearing the music. The school principals knew that the problem had to be addressed because while the audience on the side, front, and back of the room could hear fine.
Both principals wanted a low cost solution to fix the problem in time for the upcoming rehearsals and opening production. Suffering through another round of performances with subpar acoustics was not an option.
Melfoam Acoustics was contacted and it was determined that the theater needed
Sound Absorbing Panels and acoustic diffusers installed around the auditorium in order to help control some of the low frequency sounds while the addition of some acoustic diffusers helped scatter the sound energy evenly around the room, so that everybody could hear the performance properly.
It was recommended the school invest in 50mm thick acoustical baffles which could be easily suspended from the ceiling and acoustic diffuser panels around the wall.
After installing the acoustic baffles and acoustic diffusers, all the problems associated with sound reverberations were resolved and both schools now had functioning school auditoriums.
Important acoustic properties required by an auditorium
The acoustic properties that a auditorium must deliver are very complex. Below are some of the factors that must be considered.
Projection of sound
A good auditorium will accomplish effective projection of the sound to the rear of the auditorium so that those distant listeners will not experience a loss of sound level. Sound projection is normally achieved by having a sufficiently long reverberation time. Another significant contributer will be a high, reflective ceiling to reflect sound to the back of the auditorium.
Clarity
While the richness and fullness added by auditorium reverberation is desirable, such reverberation decreases clarity of articulation. So fullness and richness work against clarity, and a reasonable reverberation time must be reached by an appropriate compromise of clarity vs fullness.
Sound Acoustic Engineer
In order to get a great sound in an auditorium it is essential to work with with an experienced acoustic engineer. Melfoam Acoustics has a number of acoustic companies we work with in order to make sure an acoustic solution is deliver meets the customers expectations.
- Good projection of sound to the rear of the enclosure
- Good clarity and articulation
- Good balance of low and high frequencies
- Even dispersion of sound. Absence of annoying echoes
- A feeling of "intimacy" or "presence"
- Long enough reverberation time
- Reverberation time not too long
- Reverb time for low frequencies must be longer than for high frequencies
- No large reflective surfaces or focusing of sound
- Short delay between direct and first reflected sound
Projection of sound
A good auditorium will accomplish effective projection of the sound to the rear of the auditorium so that those distant listeners will not experience a loss of sound level. Sound projection is normally achieved by having a sufficiently long reverberation time. Another significant contributer will be a high, reflective ceiling to reflect sound to the back of the auditorium.
Clarity
While the richness and fullness added by auditorium reverberation is desirable, such reverberation decreases clarity of articulation. So fullness and richness work against clarity, and a reasonable reverberation time must be reached by an appropriate compromise of clarity vs fullness.
Sound Acoustic Engineer
In order to get a great sound in an auditorium it is essential to work with with an experienced acoustic engineer. Melfoam Acoustics has a number of acoustic companies we work with in order to make sure an acoustic solution is deliver meets the customers expectations.