Acoustics Unraveled: Your Essential Beginner’s Guide

Is the acoustics in your home not optimal?

Don’t worry!

In this blog post, I will teach you everything you need to know about improving the acoustics in your home or office.

Poor acoustics in the home can have serious consequences for your health and well-being.

It can cause stress, affect your concentration, and even harm your overall health.
Additionally, it can be frustrating when you can’t understand what others are saying.

Luckily, you’ve come to the right place to learn how to improve acoustics with Akupanels.

Thomas is an expert in the field of Acoustics

In this video, I have an inspiring interview with Thomas Fløcke, a renowned expert in the field of acoustics.

He has been working at Alpha Akustik for many years, assisting numerous companies and individuals in creating healthy acoustic spaces.

Listen to his valuable insights and tips!

Reverberation

Are you experiencing issues with poor acoustics in your home? Or do you find it challenging to concentrate at work due to excessive noise in the room?

In all likelihood, you are experiencing the effects of poor acoustics, also known as reverberation.

Not only is it inconvenient, but it can also have negative impacts on your health and well-being.

If you frequently find yourself in an environment with poor acoustics, you are likely to experience the following:

• Mild stress
• Difficulty concentrating
• Minor headaches

So, let’s start by exploring the key aspects of acoustics and how you can improve them.

What is reverberation a problem?

Sound waves form the basis of sound. When sound waves reach your ears, they are registered in your brain as sound.

If sound waves contain a lot of energy, it takes longer for them to fade away.

This prolonged reflection of sound waves is called reverberation.

Reverberation is bothersome because it causes you to hear sound multiple times, making speech and other sounds unclear.

Echo upon echo upon echo.

This is a significant issue in many spaces, especially if you have a lot of open surfaces in your home.

Imagine standing in a room where sound waves constantly bounce off walls, floors, and ceilings. You hear a buildup of sounds, making it difficult to understand what is being said.

This is where poor acoustics become a problem.

How do you create a healthy acoustic environment?

To reduce reverberation and create a healthy acoustic environment, we need to control the reflections of sound.

This can be achieved by using sound-absorbing materials such as acoustic panels.

Acoustic panels absorb sound waves and prevent them from bouncing back into the room. This reduces reverberation and makes the sound clearer and more intelligible.

The use of high-quality acoustic panels can make a significant difference in the acoustics of your home.

They absorb sound and provide an optimal sound environment.

How do the Acoustic panels work?

The panels are made of acoustic felt, which is made from recycled plastic.

This innovative use of recycled materials not only contributes to sustainability but also provides excellent sound absorption properties. The acoustic felt effectively absorbs sound waves upon contact, preventing them from reflecting back into the room.

But that’s not all.

The panels feature slats that help dampen sound and break up sound waves, a process known as diffusion. This enhances their ability to reduce echo and reverberation, creating a more balanced and pleasant acoustic environment.

By placing these panels in the right locations, we can control the reflections in the room and create a more pleasant acoustic environment.

Where should the panels be placed to achieve maximum effect?

To maximize their effectiveness, we recommend placing the panels on surfaces that quickly come into contact with sound, such as the ceiling or large walls.

By positioning the panels strategically, you can absorb the sound and prevent it from bouncing back into the room.

For instance, if you’re dealing with reverberation while someone is speaking in your living room, consider placing the panels at head height, as that’s where the sound originates.

Additionally, ensure an even distribution of panels throughout the space to address sound propagation in all directions.

The ceiling is often an ideal location, given its quick sound interaction. So, disperse the panels across various surfaces within the room for optimal results.

How many panels do you need?

To achieve good acoustics in the room, it’s recommended to cover approximately 25% of the floor area with sound-absorbing material.

Placing one or two panels in a room won’t work wonders for the acoustics.

To achieve good acoustics, it’s recommended to cover around 25% of the floor area with sound-absorbing material.

Use this formula: Multiply the room’s floor area by 0.25 and divide by 1.44 to determine the number of panels needed.

Let this guide you to the perfect acoustic environment!

Is the use of insulation wool necessary?

We extensively tested our Akupanels in various scenarios to determine their performance.

Different installation methods yield different sound classifications.

Directly mounting the panels on the wall without mineral wool achieves sound class D.
However, mounting them on battens with mineral wool behind them elevates them to sound class A.

For optimal results, use 45 mm thick battens and place mineral wool behind the panels.

Class D installation takes up 2.2 cm of space, while Class A installation requires 6.7 cm.

Choose the right installation method to achieve the desired Class A sound quality.

Try the panels on your wall

Take a photo, choose a colour, and visualize the panels on your wall.

Take control of the acoustics in your space

It has become clear that controlling the reflections of sound waves is essential. Sound-absorbing materials, such as Akupanels, play a crucial role in this process.

These panels are specifically designed to absorb sound and break up sound waves, reducing reverberation.

In summary, by being aware of the impact of sound and investing in sound-dampening solutions like Akupanels, you can enjoy an improved sound experience and overall well-being.

Take control of the acoustics in your space and experience the positive effects on sound quality, comfort, and peace of mind.

NOTE: Troels Johansson – am not an acoustics expert. This post is based on research I have done at Alpha Akustik and the knowledge I have gained from my work with acoustic panels. If you want to be certain, you should always consult a professional.