Methods of room acoustics
Absorption
Absorption is the process by which sound waves are absorbed by a material, with their energy being converted into heat through friction. The absorption coefficient ranges from 0 to 1 and indicates how well a material absorbs sound. An absorption coefficient of 1 corresponds to complete absorption. Typically, acoustic products and materials have different absorption properties depending on the frequency range. To assess the overall absorption coefficient, the values should therefore be considered for the frequency ranges from 125 Hz to 4000 Hz.
Shielding
Acoustic screens are used to reduce the spread of sound in a room. Potentially distracting conversations are prevented from being carried through the entire room. Vertical screens also provide privacy and a sense of confidentiality. For such screens to be effective, they must be of a certain height, and their effectiveness can be further increased by using special absorbent screens.
Scatter
Sound waves that hit hard and smooth surfaces are reflected back into the room. Uneven surfaces or three-dimensional structures do not reflect sound waves linearly, but into different directions. This means that the sound is distributed evenly throughout the room, creating a diffuse sound field that is generally perceived as more natural and pleasant.
