At Ion, we understand that managing sound in various spaces is a common concern. While both soundproofing and acoustic treatment fall under our expertise, it’s crucial to differentiate their purposes. Very often our customers call and ask us if acoustic panels will soundproof their rooms or if sealing the air gaps under doors will reduce the noise that is actually coming in through the walls. Unless the caller is not well versed in acoustics, they have a fundamental misunderstanding of these concepts.

SOUNDPROOFING AND ACOUSTIC TREATMENT ARE VERY DIFFERENT

Soundproofing and acoustic treatment, while often used interchangeably, address distinct aspects of sound management.

Soundproofing aims to create a barrier, using dense materials like soundproof drywall, to block sound waves from traveling between spaces. This is ideal for situations like recording studios or home theaters where minimizing unwanted noise from entering or exiting the desired area is crucial.

In contrast, acoustic treatment focuses on controlling sound within a space. This involves employing absorbent materials like acoustic panels and diffusers. These materials absorb sound waves, reducing echo and reverberation, or scatter them to prevent unwanted bouncing and interference. Acoustic treatment is essential in recording studios and listening rooms for achieving clear sound, performance venues for enhancing audience experience, and even offices or open spaces for mitigating noise distractions and improving speech clarity.

Essentially, soundproofing acts like a wall, isolating a space from external noise, while acoustic treatment functions more like strategically placed furniture within a room, managing how sound waves behave and interact within the enclosed environment. In some scenarios, like recording studios, both techniques might be employed simultaneously. Soundproofing keeps unwanted noise out, while acoustic treatment refines the quality of sound experienced within the space.

WHAT DO ACOUSTIC PANELS DO?

Acoustic panels are specifically designed to address sound issues within a space, primarily focusing on:

Reducing echo and reverberation: Imagine sound waves bouncing around a room, creating an undesirable echo effect. Acoustic panels, made from absorbent materials, absorb these sound waves. This prevents them from reflecting off walls and ceilings, effectively dampening echoes and creating a clearer overall sound.

Controlling sound quality: By absorbing sound waves, acoustic panels help regulate the overall sound level within a space. This is crucial in environments like recording studios, listening rooms, and performance venues where precise sound control is essential.

WHAT ARE ION’S ACOUSTIC PANELS MADE OF?

Ion Audio Visual crafts acoustic panels and bass traps in various sizes to suit your space.

High-performance absorption: We utilize premium sound absorbing materials like glass wool, rockwool & foam encased within sturdy wooden frames. While sourcing these materials is expensive, their exceptional sound absorption properties are vital for effective acoustic control.

Precision design: Our panels incorporate a layered approach with strategically placed air gaps. This meticulous design maximizes sound wave absorption, significantly reducing unwanted reverb within your room

DIFFUSERS

In the realm of audio acoustics, diffusers play a crucial role in shaping the soundscape of a room. Here’s a breakdown of what they are and why they matter:  

What Sound Diffusers Do:

Scattering Sound: Unlike sound absorbers that soak up sound waves, diffusers work by scattering them. This means they break up sound waves and disperse them in multiple directions.

Creating a Balanced Sound: By scattering reflections, diffusers prevent sound from concentrating in specific areas, which can lead to unwanted echoes and “dead spots.” This helps create a more even and natural sound distribution throughout the room.

Enhancing Spaciousness: Diffusers can make a room sound larger and more open by creating a sense of spaciousness.

So in addition to acoustic panelling, you would want to implement some sort of diffusion in your room. You can achieve that through Quadratic Residue Diffusers or even Absorber Diffuser Acoustic Panels to get a good blend of absorption and diffusion of sound.

HOW DO I SOUNDPROOF MY ROOM?

Identify the source of the sound: Soundproofing a room is a multi-layered process that requires a clear understanding of both the sound’s origin and its transmission pathways. Effectively minimizing noise intrusion or escape requires a strategic approach, beginning with pinpointing the sound sources, be they external traffic, neighboring activities, or internal equipment.

Once identified, shift your focus to how the sound travels: Through airborne sound waves or impact vibrations?

Airborne Sound: This is how most external sound leaks into your room and solving this will eliminate most of the problem. Air gaps in windows, doors and exhausts are most often weak points. Seal all gaps with acoustic caulk or weatherstripping, ensuring that no air can pass through. Even sealing cracks, no matter how small, can significantly aid soundproofing efforts. 

Impact Vibrations: Simply put, impact vibrations are the sound waves that travel through concrete, wood, glass and other solid materials. Low frequency sounds are a bit trickier to catch but it is possible to eliminate them depending on how much work you are willing to put in. In an ideal scenario, you would want to create a room within in the room. Installing drywall along your existing brick or concrete wall, leaving a few inches of an air gap and essentially creating another room inside is the best option and will greatly reduce impact vibrations. However, we understand that that is not an option for most people, in which case, upgrading to double-paned windows or solid-core doors is essential. Floors and ceilings demand similar attention, with options like thick rugs, floating floors, and added mass or decoupling layers.

Conclusion

At Ion we specialize in providing top-of-the-line soundproofing and acoustic treatment solutions for a wide range of spaces including home theaters, audio studios, auditoriums, and podcast studios.

Don’t let poor acoustics ruin your listening or recording experience. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards a more enjoyable and professional audio experience.