Advanced Acoustics Help Guides

Why You Need Acoustic Treatment

So you have your ideal set-up. You have your high-fidelity speakers set in their optimum position. You have your listening position just right. But there's a problem. It just doesn't sound like it did in the demo room. There are many things you might try to improve on your system, cables or isolation stands for your equipment for example. You might spend hundreds of pounds on new speaker cables but can the difference really be heard?

The only way you are going to be able to actually add focus to your system and improve clarity is by making your listening room in tune. No doubt the room your high-end audio equipment is installed in was not specifically designed for listening to music. If the room has parallel walls, if the room is square or rectangular you are going to suffer from room modes. Room modes are frequencies at which sound waves in a room resonate, based on the room dimensions. The acoustic modes will "colour" the sound, ie. enhance certain frequencies and dull others. This will in turn create peaks and troughs. These can be as much as 6dB in difference which is a discernable change.

In a room there are many surfaces that reflect sound. This will clutter and colour the music you listen to and make it sound clouded and distorted. There will be the direct sound from your speaker and after that there will be indirect sound starting from the speakers and reflecting on the walls, the ceiling and even the floor and finally reaching you. The most influential reflection is called the first reflection. This is at the mirror point between you and the speakers. The reflection points are on the side walls, the ceiling and the floor. It is called the first reflection because after the direct sound it is the next sound you hear, like an echo.

You need to take the room out of the picture and stop the effects of the room from having a negative effect on the quality and enjoyment of the listening experience.  It is not until the room is working to its optimum will your audio equipment perform to its full potential.  The only acceptable, truly proficient and cost effective solution is the high end audio solution offered here at Advanced Acoustics.

It has been said that High-End Audio equipment is only as good as its weakest link. Have you thought that your room could be that weak link?

What Acoustic Treatment You Need

Thanks to Advanced Acoustics it is quite simple. We have developed a solution that drastically improves the definition of the music you want to enjoy. One client commented that after the installation of our acoustic treatment it is like they "have put on a pair of glasses". The room focuses its attention to you the listener, directing the sound to you.

For any music room to work well you need to get it close to the environment the music was created in. However, we need to achieve a fine balance between a room that sounds good but doesn't look like a studio and also a room that is accurate but still has life remaining in it. That is where the acoustic panels come in. They are both aesthetically pleasing and true performers. To treat an average sized room usually 5 acoustic panels are required along with some bass trapping. We mentioned earlier in "Why You Need Acoustic Treatment" the first reflection points. These are the side walls and the ceiling. We would install one panel per reflection point. For the floor we would recommend you lay a thick heavy rug if you have a wooden or hard floor currently installed. We also treat the wall behind the listening position to cut down the reflection from the speakers to the back wall then on to the hearer's ears. The panels are usually installed 2ft (0.6m) from the floor on the side walls and on the back wall they are placed a little higher if possible. Usually two Corner Sound Trap Panels for the average sized room are needed. These panels will go behind the speakers roughly 2ft (0.6m) from the floor if possible. Basically you want the panels to be about the same height as the speaker. If the room is really struggling with problems such as low end build up then we would also suggest that a panel is installed in the two corners behind the listening position. We have to bear in mind that every room is different. We use the above suggestions as a rule or a guide. However, at times the rules may need to be adjusted or modified. The size of room, shape, furniture in the room, and any other uses the room may have all have a bearing on what can be installed in the room.

Our aim is to create you a room that complements the system you have and not work against it. Filling the room with acoustic panel is not the answer, this would be overly excessive and 'life' is lost from the room. However, a few panels in the right place achieve the perfect balance.

Where to Position the Panels

Acoustic treatment can either make or break the perfect listening environment. If the panels are positioned incorrectly the sound stage can be shrunk and that is most certainly something you want to stay away from. However, installation of the panels in the correct place will make such a huge improvement you will wonder how you ever enjoyed you music before they were installed. Below is a sketch of the best placement of acoustic panels in an ideal set-up. As every room is different sometimes adjustments have to be made. If you are unsure about where to best place acoustic panels in your listening room then simply contact Advanced Acoustics directly or contact us and we will discuss the options open to you.

How To Install Your Panels

Our acoustic panels are unbelievably easy to install, both the wall mounted panels and the corner mounted panels. There are two fixing methods available. The first and most popular option is the use of D-rings. By choosing D-rings all you need to complete the installation are picture hooks. They literally take minutes to install and before long you will be listening to the fruits of your short labour and at last hearing exactly what your Hi-Fi and artist has to tell you. The option of D-rings is available for both the wall mounted panels and the corner mounted panels. The wall mounted panels such as the Wall Sound Trap Panel and the Photophonic panel also has the option of being landscape or portrait orientation depending on what is required. If you require panels that can be easily removed or want to room that can be adjusted for different uses then this method is the most practical. There is no mess when installing the panels. All you need is a measuring tape, a hammer and some picture hooks.

The second option is the use of brass mirror plates. There are four plates per panel and this method of fixing makes your panels securely fixed to the wall or ceiling. The method takes a little longer in comparison to the D-ring option but if your acoustic treatment needs to be securely fastened to the wall or ceiling then this is the best option. There is no risk of the panels being knocked or falling damaging furniture or equipment. All you need to install these panels is a hammer action drill, measuring tape and suitable fixings whether they are plasterboard plugs or brick plugs. The removing of the panels is also simple. If you were to move house or change the use of the room you can take the panels with you.

We aim to make the acoustic treatment we supply not only effective acoustically and visually be acoustic treatment also needs to be practical. This is why the cloth we use can easily be wiped clean and it is also why we have given you two easy methods of fixing the panels to the walls or the ceiling.

Quality Assurance

All of our acoustic treatment products are made to demanding standards. We do not compromise on the materials that go into the products we craft. The acoustic foam we use is high grade open cell acoustic foam which conforms and exceeds all the necessary standards and regulations. The fabrics used in the wall mounted panels and the Signature panel were specially selected for their acoustic performance and their durability along with their good looks. The fabrics conform to all the Fire and Furnishings Regulations and have been thoroughly tested to ensure this. The maintenance of the panels is very easy also. To keep the panels free from dust simply vacuum with a soft brush attachment. To remove any stains on the wall mounted panels just clean with a damp cloth.

All of our products are guaranteed to bring your room to its optimum. So far in all the rooms we have treated every solution has resulted in achieving a room that is more defined and focused than before. We know that you will be impressed with every aspect of Advanced Acoustics. From the ease of ordering, the fantastic customer service, the high quality of acoustic treatment and the quick delivery. We work hard to make your experience with us a delightful and memorable one. We are not here to make a quick buck and we wouldn't be here very long if we did; we are interested in creating rooms that complement the audio equipment that you have installed and the music you listen to. And our service doesn't stop when your acoustic treatment reaches your door our customer service continues so if you need any further advice or help we are always here to be of assistance.