Acoustics
About Acoustic
Sound is a form of energy that travels in waves. How or whether those waves bounce or reflect around a space is based on the acoustics. Acoustics, meaning the way sound is transmitted or behaves within a space, is affected by a space’s size, shape, and the materials from which it is constructed. High ceilings, flat and parallel surfaces, and hard materials make a space more reverberant while things like uneven surfaces and soft materials reduce reverberation. Having soft furniture and rugs or carpet can reduce reflection considerably. As do, of course, acoustic panels designed specifically for the purposes of absorbing sound. Reflection is not a bad thing. A little bit of it is pleasant and not having any can feel unnatural. A lot of reflection or an echo, however, can make it hard to discern sounds, in particular, speech.
Sound is a form of energy that travels in waves. How or whether those waves bounce or reflect around a space is based on the acoustics. Acoustics, meaning the way sound is transmitted or behaves within a space, is affected by a space’s size, shape, and the materials from which it is constructed. High ceilings, flat and parallel surfaces, and hard materials make a space more reverberant while things like uneven surfaces and soft materials reduce reverberation. Having soft furniture and rugs or carpet can reduce reflection considerably. As do, of course, acoustic panels designed specifically for the purposes of absorbing sound. Reflection is not a bad thing. A little bit of it is pleasant and not having any can feel unnatural. A lot of reflection or an echo, however, can make it hard to discern sounds, in particular, speech.