Latest Posts
The Value of Sound and Acoustically Treating a Room
In the American economy, we see “value” mentioned frequently, and while the word “cheap” isn’t used, it’s often implied. No one wants to own cheap products, but no one wants to spend more than they should to get the performance they want. In the categories of sound and acoustical products, there’s a wide range of […]
What is Sound Diffusion (and Absorption)?
Here’s an easy definition: diffusion is the method of spreading out sound energy with a diffusor (diffuser) for better sound in a space. However, in the wide, wide world of acoustics, the sound diffusion process and tools are widely misunderstood, even by some acoustics professionals. This seems a bit odd, because it’s one of only […]
Is Food That Loud?
It’s practically official: “too much noise” is now customers’ single most-hated restaurant problem, ahead of bad service, bad food, and high prices. While open kitchens, cranked-up music-playback systems, and raucous diners certainly have played a part in amplifying this business-killing monster, many complaints were aimed squarely – and rightly – at the restaurant’s acoustics. Hard […]
Fitness Acoustics: Keeping Sound In (and Out)
It seems like gyms and specialty fitness classes are popping up everywhere – in strip malls, next to office suites, and under apartment complexes in dense cities. The noise they generate, whether from loud music, clanking weights, or dozens of spinning stationary bikes, is causing an inundation of noise complaints, 911 calls, and even forcing […]
Fitness Acoustics: Can Your Class Hear You?
With summer just around the corner, more and more people are hitting the gym and attending group fitness classes such as spin cycling, yoga, CrossFit, and other health-oriented activities. An important key to any successful workout or class, of course, is listening to the instructor. Unfortunately, many gyms and fitness spaces are highly reverberant, making […]
Exploring the Detrimental Effects of Noise Pollution
When it comes to the consumer experience in retail settings, acoustics play an essential role in regulating their spending and levels of satisfaction. The acoustical environment of a business can make or break a customer’s experience within the establishment and can have a direct effect upon their spending. Too much noise can have adverse consumer […]
Can Awful Acoustics in Restaurants Alter Taste?
Have you ever been to a busy restaurant that was so noisy you could barely hear your friend across the table? From an acoustics standpoint, restaurants are tricky spaces; the hard surfaces of the tables, bar, and floor are carefully designed to match the menu and overall aesthetic, but they can make a quiet Tuesday […]
What’s That Noise? Gymnasiums
In this ongoing blog series, the acoustic experts of ASI will detail common noise concerns of different environments and offer solutions to resolve any issues. This month’s edition of What’s That Noise? focuses on gymnasiums—wide-open spaces that are highly conducive to generating echoes and reverberation. Upon entering a gymnasium, the first thing that people notice—almost […]
What’s That Noise? Office Environments
This month’s edition of What’s That Noise? focuses on office environments—enclosed areas that depend on quietness to ensure the clearest communication possible. Millions of Americans spend 40 or more hours working in office buildings each week. Unfortunately, not all the time spent by office employees is productive, as the buildings they work in are a […]
“Noise is the No. 1 Quality-of-Life Complaint in NYC” solutions from Acoustical Surfaces
An article came out earlier this year titled “Noise is No. 1 Quality-of-Life Complaint in NYC” by Verena Dobnik, and I wanted to contribute some basic solutions for noise reduction to mitigate some of the complaints listed in the article.
