Where should sound absorbers be placed?

Placing sound absorbers in the right places in a room is crucial for achieving effective sound reduction and creating a more pleasant acoustic environment. Whether it's an office, conference room, home studio, or restaurant, the placement of sound absorbers affects how well they work to reduce reverberation and disturbing sound reflections. By strategically placing sound absorbers on surfaces where sound bounces the most, you can optimize the acoustics and improve the sound comfort in the room.

Sound moves around the room by reflecting off hard surfaces such as walls, ceilings, and floors. In environments where sound easily bounces around and creates an elevated sound level, it is important to identify the most critical surfaces and place sound absorbers where they are most effective. In general, ceiling absorbers should be prioritized because the ceiling is a large, free surface where sound waves can reflect freely. Installing sound absorbers on the ceiling reduces reverberation and creates a more controlled sound environment, especially in large or open rooms. In offices and restaurants, where many people are talking at the same time, ceiling-mounted sound absorbers can help to reduce noise levels and improve speech intelligibility.

In addition to the ceiling, walls play a major role in the sound environment. Wall absorbers are effective in reducing sound reflections, especially in rooms with hard materials such as concrete, glass, or tile. The placement of wall absorbers should be adapted to the use of the room. In a recording studio, it is important to absorb sound at the first reflection points, while an office environment benefits from evenly distributed wall absorbers that reduce the overall noise level. In some cases, corner placement of absorbers may be necessary to reduce resonances and bass sounds.

In addition to ceiling and wall mounting, freestanding sound absorbers and screens can be used to create flexible sound-absorbing solutions. These are often used in open-plan offices to reduce distracting background noise and create more secluded workspaces. Mobile sound absorbers can also be a good option in rooms where permanent installations are not possible.

By carefully planning the placement of sound absorbers, you can create a well-balanced sound environment that improves both comfort and functionality. Combining different types of absorbers and adapting them to the needs of the room is the key to optimal sound absorption.

Placement and installation of sound absorbers – Optimize the acoustics in the room

Creating a pleasant sound environment is not just about choosing the right sound absorbers – how and where they are placed plays a crucial role in their effectiveness. Sound reflects off ceilings, walls, and other hard surfaces, which can cause reverberation, disturbing noise, and unbalanced acoustics. By strategically installing sound absorbers, these reflections are reduced and the sound environment becomes more controlled. There are several different installation options, each with its own advantages depending on the size, shape, and use of the room. Below, we go through the most effective installation methods, their absorption capacity, and how you can optimize the acoustics with the right placement.

Installation of ceiling absorbers

Ceiling absorbers are one of the most effective solutions for improving acoustics, especially in large or open spaces where sound reflections from the ceiling can create a noisy and unbalanced sound environment. Placing absorbers on the ceiling reduces reverberation and dampens sound waves before they bounce around the room. Ceiling absorbers are often used in offices, schools, restaurants, and conference rooms where many people gather and the noise level can otherwise become high.

Installation with brackets (direct mounting or with a 50 mm spacer)

Brackets are a stable and effective mounting method for ceiling absorbers. They are available in two designs: direct mounting, where the absorbers are mounted directly to the ceiling, and spacer mounting, where an air gap of approximately 50 mm is created between the absorber and the ceiling.

Absorption capacity
- The ceiling often has a large surface area to cover, which means that a large amount of sound can be absorbed.

- Distance mounting improves the absorption of low frequencies, especially if the absorbers are at least 50 mm thick.

- Absorbers mounted with brackets often leave space for cables and other installations behind them, making them easy to integrate into the room.

Advantages
- The air gap in remote mounting improves the absorption of low-frequency sounds.

- Stable and secure mounting.

- Suitable for office environments, studios, and other sound-sensitive spaces.

Disadvantages
- Requires careful installation.

- With remote mounting, the absorbers take up more space in the ceiling.

Suspended mounting with wire system

Wire systems are used to hang absorbers from the ceiling, which is particularly effective in rooms with high ceilings or where you want to direct sound absorption over specific areas, such as meeting tables or workstations.

Absorption capacity
- Very good at dampening sound reflections from the ceiling.

- Effective at breaking up standing sound waves in larger spaces.

- Suspended absorbers provide improved absorption of low-frequency sounds compared to direct mounting.

Advantages
- Highly effective sound absorption, especially in high-ceilinged rooms.

- Possibility to adjust the height to optimize acoustics.

- Can be aesthetically customized to create a modern design.

Disadvantages
- Requires stable mounting in the ceiling.

-takes longer to install than directly mounted absorbers (brackets).

Direct mounting with screws

With direct mounting, the absorbers are screwed into the ceiling without an air gap.

Absorption capacity
- Reduces high frequencies but is less effective for low-frequency sounds compared to spacer mounting or hanging absorbers.

- Best suited for small rooms with low ceilings where sound reflections from the ceiling would otherwise be a problem.

Advantages
- Simple and stable installation.

- Requires minimal additional material.

- Well suited for rooms where an air gap is not needed.

Disadvantages
- Less effective than spaced-mounted alternatives as no air gap is created.

- Difficult to dismantle if the absorbers need to be moved.

Installation with adhesive

Gluing ceiling absorbers is used in certain situations where screws or other fasteners are not an option.

Absorption capacity
- Same as direct mounting with screws, but without the possibility of dismantling the absorbers.

- Less effective for low frequencies as no air gap is created.

Advantages
- Quick and easy installation without the need for tools.

- Good alternative if you want to avoid screw holes in the ceiling.

Disadvantages
- Difficult to adjust or remove the absorbers without damaging the ceiling.

- The strength of the attachment can be affected by the surface and the temperature in the room.

Installation of sound absorbers in ceilings with wire baskets

In industrial environments or public spaces where absorbers need extra protection, wire basket mounting is often used.

Absorption capacity
- Effective sound absorption while protecting the absorbers from damage.

Advantages
- Ideal for factories, sports halls, and school environments where there is a risk of impact or wear.

- Protects absorbers from physical impact.

Disadvantages
- Less aesthetically pleasing in certain environments.

- Requires stable attachment to the ceiling.

Installation of wall absorbers

Wall absorbers are a key part of an effective sound absorption system, as they reduce sound reflections from walls and create a more balanced sound environment. Hard wall surfaces can cause echoes and prolong reverberation time, making the sound image diffuse and difficult to control. Strategically placing absorbers on the walls can improve sound comfort, which is especially important in environments where conversation and communication are crucial, such as conference rooms, schools, and workplaces.

Installation with concealed fasteners

Concealed fasteners are a popular solution for wall absorbers that need to blend into the interior design without visible mounting hardware.

Absorption capacity
- Very good at dampening high-frequency sounds and reducing reverberation.

- Effective in office environments, studios, and conference rooms where the sound environment needs to be improved without affecting the aesthetics of the room.

Advantages
- Aesthetically pleasing and minimalist installation.

- Secure mounting without visible screws.

Disadvantages
- Requires careful placement during installation.

- May be more difficult to dismantle and move the absorbers.

Installation with brackets (flush or 50 mm distance)

Brackets can be used to mount wall absorbers flush against the wall or with a 50 mm distance for improved sound absorption.

Absorption capacity
- Spacer mounting provides better sound absorption, especially for low frequencies.

- Flush mounting is effective for reducing reverberation and high-frequency sound reflections.

Advantages
- Stable mounting.

- Flexible mounting – distance mounting improves sound absorption, while flush mounting provides a more discreet solution.

Disadvantages
- With distance mounting, the absorbers take up more wall space.

- Requires more careful installation than screw mounting.

Screw mounting

With screw mounting, the absorbers are attached directly to the wall without an air gap.

Absorption capacity
Reduces high frequencies but is less effective for low-frequency sounds compared to spacer mounting.

Advantages
- Simple and durable mounting.

- Suitable for environments where the absorbers do not need to be moved or adjusted.

Disadvantages
- No air gap, which reduces sound absorption capacity.

- Visible screws may affect aesthetics.

Installation with adhesive

Glue is used when other mounting methods are not possible, for example on glass walls or surfaces where screws cannot be used.

Absorption capacity
- Same as screw mounting but without the possibility of dismantling the absorbers.

Advantages
- Simple and quick installation.

- No damage to the wall during installation.

Disadvantages
- Difficult to remove the absorbers without damaging the wall.

- The adhesive may be affected by temperature and humidity.

Installation of corner absorbers

Corner absorbers are a specialized solution for controlling low-frequency sounds that accumulate in the corners of a room. Low frequencies tend to be amplified in corners, which can create an imbalance in the sound image and lead to problems with bass resonance. By placing sound absorbers in the corners of the room, these frequencies can be effectively dampened, improving the sound environment in everything from music studios and home theaters to open-plan offices and conference rooms.

Absorption capacity
High absorption capacity for low frequencies, as bass resonances are amplified in corners.

Advantages
- Perfect for handling bass sounds and low frequencies.

- Requires minimal wall space.

Disadvantages
- Less effective on high-frequency sounds.

- Takes up some space in the corner of the room.

Installation of diagonally mounted sound absorbers between ceiling and wall

Diagonally mounted absorbers are a solution that combines both ceiling and wall absorption by being placed at an angle between these surfaces.

Absorption capacity
- Very good for reducing reflections between ceiling and wall.
- Effectively breaks up sound waves and reduces the risk of standing waves.

Advantages
- Effective in rooms where both ceiling and wall absorption are required.

- Can improve the sound image in rooms with high ceilings.

Disadvantages
- Takes up more space than standard wall or ceiling absorbers.

- Can be more difficult to integrate aesthetically in certain environments.

Did you know that..

Placing sound absorbers in the wrong place can be just as ineffective as not having any at all. Many people think it's just a matter of covering the walls, but if the absorbers don't catch the sound where it bounces the most, the room can still feel echoey and noisy. The fact is that sound waves always seek out the hardest surfaces to reflect off—and that's where absorbers are most useful!

The ceiling is often the most important surface to dampen first! Since sound bounces between the floor and ceiling in a vertical direction, an unfinished ceiling surface can create a surprisingly long reverberation. Ceiling absorbers or hanging baffles can break up the movement of sound and reduce echo more than an entire wall covered with absorbers.

Wall absorbers are most effective when placed at the first reflection points – that is, where the sound waves hit the wall after leaving the sound source. If the absorbers are instead mounted in random locations, much of the sound can still bounce freely. By identifying these points and placing sound absorbers there, a small number of correctly placed absorbers can be more effective than filling the entire room.

So if you're wondering why your room still feels noisy despite sound absorbers, keep in mind that it's not just about how many you use, but where you put them. Strategic placement is the key to an optimal sound environment!