3 Simple Solutions To Improve Conference Room Acoustics
While the quality of room acoustics typically gets plenty of attention in venues where music will be played or recorded, and where stage plays or other theatrical presentations are performed, its importance shouldn't be overlooked in places like offices or conference rooms. Below are just a few of the many methods that can be used to improve the sound quality in offices and conference rooms to allow for improved audio during phone calls and meetings.
It's Not Just the Music
Just as room acoustics in a concert hall can make or break the presentation of a symphony orchestra, the acoustics in a meeting or conference room can make or break an important conference, conference call or video conference. When there's difficulty hearing and understanding an oral presentation, it's hard to take care of business as usual.
Speech is best heard and understood in rooms with a minimum of flat, hard surfaces that reflect sound. There are a number of ways to restore clarity in conference rooms, two of which are sound absorption and sound masking. The strategy used will be dependent upon the makeup of the room being considered.
Ceiling tiles and industrial-grade, thin carpet are often found in a typical office or conference room. A combination of one or both may be adequate for an individual or a small group to achieve an acceptable sound level. In a larger group setting, it is best to add Ambience acoustic ceiling tiles, wall panels, baffles or clouds suspended from the ceiling to tune the room acoustics. The benefit is an increase in productivity, creativity, and comfort.
Sound Proofing vs. Acoustics Improvement
If your meeting room is next to a noisy hallway, improving internal acoustics to make presentations easier to understand will have to work hand-in-hand with soundproofing the room from exterior noise. The same goes for noise that may be outside of the building the meeting room is in, especially if there are windows on the exterior wall.
Soundproofing windows doors can either be replaced with special soundproofing doors or, alternatively, you can enhance a solid wood door by using door frame seals.
3 Simple Solutions To Improving Conference Room Acoustics
Here are a few simple ideas to consider when trying to improve the acoustics in your conference or meeting room:
1. Counteract hard, flat surfaces with the addition of softer furniture and décor. Swap out hard chairs and install soft, cloth-covered ones. Add rugs or carpeting and sound-absorbing curtains or drapes.
2. You can mask external noise by incorporating “white noise” created by the use of a small water feature or a recording of soft background sounds.
3. Acoustic baffle panels hung from the ceiling or walls can act to reduce echo or reverberation in your meeting room. These hanging baffles can also add an aesthetic touch to the space. Acoustic panels can also be placed on doors to enhance noise reduction in your room.
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