Acoustic Treatment in Meeting Rooms, Video Conferencing, and Boardrooms

Meeting Rooms, Video Conferencing and boardrooms are an essential feature in a commercial office fit and acoustics should always be a consideration at the early stage to ensure good speech intelligibility.

The manufacturers of Telecom systems understand the importance of the acoustic environment and specify a reverberation time (RT60) between 0.3s and 0.5s with a noise floor of 30dBA.

The cost for Video Conferencing technology can be substantial however it is important to remember that the room is part of the transmission path from the human speaker to the microphone, and from the loudspeaker to our ears.

Acoustic treatment in Meeting rooms is a necessary requirement to reduce reverberation and control sound waves reflecting off hard surfaces and having a negative impact on speech intelligibility.

The importance of a controlled acoustic environment.

Speech intelligibility

Clear and intelligible speech is essential for effective communication during video conferences. Good acoustics ensure that participants’ voices are properly captured by microphones, transmitted clearly, and reproduced accurately on the receiving end. By minimizing echoes, reverberation, and background noise, acoustics help maintain speech clarity and ensure that participants can understand each other without difficulty.

Engagement and attention

When participants can hear and understand each other clearly, they are more likely to stay engaged and focused during video conferences. Good acoustics facilitate smooth and effortless communication, allowing participants to actively participate in discussions, ask questions, and contribute to the conversation.

Non-verbal communication

In addition to spoken words, video conferencing relies on non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, gestures, and tone of voice. Clear acoustics ensure that these non-verbal elements are accurately transmitted, enhancing the overall communication experience and enabling participants to effectively interpret and respond to visual and auditory cues.

Professionalism and credibility

Clear audio quality reflects professionalism and enhances the credibility of participants. When audio is muffled, distorted, or affected by technical issues, it can negatively impact the perception of the participants and the overall quality of the video conference. Good acoustics contribute to a polished and professional experience, increasing confidence and trust among participants.

Collaboration and productivity

Effective communication in video conferencing is crucial for collaborative work and productivity. With good acoustics, participants can easily share ideas, discuss projects, and work together remotely. Smooth communication and reduced audio distractions allow for efficient decision-making and problem-solving, leading to improved productivity.

User experience

Video conferencing is becoming increasingly prevalent for remote work, meetings, and collaborations. A positive user experience is essential to encourage adoption and ensure that participants find the process convenient and enjoyable. Good acoustics contribute to a comfortable and seamless video conferencing experience, making participants more likely to embrace the technology and use it effectively.

Acoustic conditions that contribute to good speech intelligibility:

Low background noise levels
High acoustic seperation between rooms
Good speech privacy
Low reverberation times

Acoustic Considerations at the design stage:

Position of the venue in relation to noise sources
The shape and size of the room
Walls to underside of the soffit to stop flanking
Glazing, door and wall detail is important to stop noise and improve privacy
Keeping building service and mechanical noise as low as possible
Soft Internal furnishings to help with acoustics
Design Aesthetic finishes where ever possible to incorporate acoustic elements.

Tips for combined aesthetic elements with Acoustics in mind.

Incorporate acoustics into lighting elements.
Use Acoustic Prints instead of printed artwork.
With clever design wooden elements can become effective absorption elements.

To view our range of Acoustic Treatment in Meeting rooms

The Role of an Acoustic Engineer.

Overall, the role of an acoustic engineer is to apply scientific principles and engineering techniques to create optimal acoustic environments, enhance sound quality, mitigate noise issues, and improve overall human experience in various settings. They work across different industries, including architecture, construction, entertainment, and environmental sectors, to create spaces that are acoustically pleasing, functional, and safe.

Why Acoustic Worx?

Acoustic Worx has many years experience and a wide range of Acoustic Products to guarantee your meeting rooms will have excellent speech intelligibility.

Our process – follow the science.

Perform Acoustic Measurement to determine existing Acoustic Conditions.
Calculate how much acoustic treatment is required based on measurement results and acoustic performance data of our Range of Acoustic Products.
Revert with a quotation and renders of recommended acoustic products, optimised positions, and colour swatches.
Manufacture and install products.
Provide our clients with a turnkey solution.