There are many acoustic panels now available to combat the problem high reverberation or echo in rooms with hard surfaces. We would like to put forward our thoughts on the top 5 acoustic panel systems available to the UK market.

We talk impartially and from experience, having used many different acoustic wall panels systems, either specified on projects or used in our own design schemes. This small list takes into account a number of factors including ‘effectiveness’ (most important, we believe), aesthetics, ease of installation, durability and supporting test data.

1. ECOPHON ‘VISTA’ WALL PANEL C

Ecophon 'Wall Panel C' - Class A sound absorbing acoustic panels in Texona glass fibre fabric

When it comes to reducing room reverberation, this class A sound absorbing wall panelling system is incredibly effective. The result of installing this panelling system to echoing rooms is quite amazing. It is the first product we recommend for highly reverberant areas, it looks great, its aesthetically versatile, suiting all spaces from high-end boardroom environments to noisy school canteens. The Texona fabric range is fashionable and timeless.

2. FABRIC WALL

Stretched Fabric Wall | Wall to wall fabric wall panelling

This system achieves the highest possible marks for aesthetics and the look and feel of high quality. In terms of flexibility there is nothing that cannot be achieved. This system is site built by specialist installers. Floor to ceiling, wall to wall stretched fabric with a huge range of hidden track profiles. Very high levels of sound absorbency can be achieved with the right core thickness and fabrics. Certainly not the cheapest option, but with fabrics from Camira to Kvadrat to Paul Smith the design possibilities are endless and beautiful sound control can be achieved.

3. CUSTOM PRINTED ACOUSTIC PANELS

Custom Printed Acoustic Panels

We have now overcome the old issues of reduced acoustic performance and fabric printing quality problems. It is now possible to produce over sized acoustic panels with high resolution printing the fabric with stunning results. Class A sound absorbency can be achieved and we believe this solution should be seriously considered by anyone looking for ‘office art’ or intelligent ways of branding receptions, atria, common parts, restaurants and canteens. It combines acoustic benefits, with high quality art, branding or marketing.

4. OFFECCT SOUNDWAVE

Offecct Soundwave Acoustic Wall Panels

Offecct Soundwave panels are an excellent way of providing acoustic treatment to spaces by way of absorption and specifically diffusion. Although they are not as effective at reducing echo through sound absorbency as the Ecophon panels already mentioned above, they provide an excellent feature and texture and are available in many different textures and designs.

5. ECOPHON SUPER G

Ecophon Super G Impact Resistant Wall Panels

Ecophon Super G panels are a surprisingly versatile solution where durability and impact resistancy is required. They are an attractive way of treating environments such as sports halls, leisure centres and gymnasiums. The woven Super G glass-fibre surface is extremely durable, with the panels achieving Class A absorbency.

For more information on the above acoustic wall panel systems, contact ReSpace Acoustics. Who provide a complete assessment, design and installation service.

Function rooms and halls are showing a growing interest in acoustic development. Function rooms and halls are used for a variety of activities so acoustically the rooms needs to be of high quality.

The below projects show ReSpace at work:

1. Glaziers Hall | Hall Acoustics

ReSpace Acoustics were contacted by Glaziers Hall to provide an acoustic solution for their large function space.The room walls in the room are plasterboard and the floor is wood planks, therefore this cluster of hard surface makes it difficult to hear anything within this space.

Products Used & Benefits Achieved

1. Installed Ecophon Solo acoustic rafts

2. Reduced reverberation time & echo

3. Complimented existing design and lighting

4. Achieved total hall acoustics

2. The Navasartion Centre | Community Hall Acoustics

The Navasartion Centre in London, contacted ReSpace for an acoustic solution for their function room.

The Navasaration Centre function room is used for a variety of functions. They had very poor acoustics due to a myraid of hard surfaces, few being the large wooden floor and high ceilings.

Products Used & Benefits Achieved

1. Installed Ecophon Solo hanging acoustic panels

2. Reduced reverberation time & echo

3. Complimented existing design

4. Complete hall acoustics achieved

The Educational Sector is now showing increased interest in the implementation of acoustic products to a variety of areas within their schools.

The main three areas are as follows:

1. Sports Halls

2. Classrooms

3. Corridors

Respace has been awarded a few acoustic projects within the Educational Sector, see some case studies below:

1. Chichester High School | Sports Hall Acoustics

Chichester High School contacted Respace for an acoustic solution for their multi purpose hall. Before the installation the pupils and teachers were unable to use the hall comfortably as the acoustics were so poor causing loud speech and sound echo.

Ecophon Wall Panel C

Acoustic Products Used & Benefits Achieved:

1. Ecophon Wall Panel C installed

2. Reduced reverberation time & echo

3. Achieved magnificent sports hall acoustics result

4. Complimented existing colours & design

2. St Johns School | School Acoustics

Respace was contacted by St Johns School for an acoustic solution for their noisy classrooms, corridors and sports hall. The school had been experiencing real problems in terms of the acoustics in all parts of the school and decided to install and acoustic solution to the three areas.

Ecophon Acoustic Wall & Ceiling Panels

Acoustic Products Used & Benefits Achieved:

1. Ecophon Solo class A absorbent acoustic ceiling rafts, Ecophon Wall Panel A class A absorbent acoustic wall panelling and circulation corridor area installation of acoustic, British Gypsum ‘Gyptone’ ceiling system.

2. Massively reduced reverberation time & echo

3. Complimented existing colour and design scheme.

4. Achieved complete school acoustics success.

3. Ysgol Yr Hendre School | Sports Hall Acoustics

Respace were contacted by Ysgol Yr Hendre School in Wales for an acoustic solution for their sports hall. The sports hall needed to be used for a variety of activities but with the acoustics so poor, this could not be achieved.

Ecophon Resistant Wall Panels - Ecophon Super G

Acoustic Products Used & Benefits Achieved:

1. Ecophon impact resistant wall panels – Ecophon Super G

2. Reduced reverberation time & echo

3. Impact resistant so hard ball games can still be played

4. Complete sports hall acoustics achieved

4. Hotham Primary School | Sports Hall Acoustics

Hotham Primary School contacted Respace Acoustics for an acoustic solution to their sports hall, with added custom design. The sports hall was impossible to teach, learn and play in due to the high reverberation time and echo.

Impact Resistant Acoustic Wall Panel - In Custom Design

Acoustic Products Used & Benefits Achieved:

1. Impact resistance acoustic wall panels installed – Ecophon Super G

2. Reduced reverberation time & echo

3. Custom printed to add colour

4. Achieved complete sports hall acoustics, the hall can now be used for a variety of activities.

Ysgol Yr Hendre School, Caernarfon School in Wales, required an acoustic solution for their sports hall. Respace Acoustics were contacted to recommend and provide this acoustic installation.

The well known school teaches the ages from 3-11, therefore the sports hall is an extremely noisy area when in use. With the reverberation time high causing speech and noise echo, the room was almost impossible to teach, play or learn in.

Acoustic Wall Panels

Respace recommended Impact resistant acoustic wall panelling/Ecophon super G. This would reduce the echo through lowering the reverberation time within the hall.

Acoustic Wall Panels

The wall panels installed were also impact resistant, therefore hard ball games could also be played in the hall with no chance of damage.

Acoustic Wall Panels

The sports hall acoustic installation was a success and the school were very happy with their new sound multi-purpose environment.

Expedia, the world’s largest online travel company is to take over 80,000 sq. ft. of office space in Central London, they are due to take over the award winning Angel Building top two floors for their new office space. They contacted Respace for an acoustic solution for their new meeting rooms.

The meeting rooms within the building had very poor acoustics. This made the room very difficult to hold any meeting/conference as the speech and sound echo was very high.

Ecophon Solo Hanging Acoustic Panels

Respace recommended Ecophon Solo Hanging Acoustic Panels to solve the acoustic problem. These acoustic panels lowered the reverberation time within the room making speech intelligibility and general sound control massively improved.

Ecophon Solo Hanging Acoustic Panels

Not only were the panels acoustically beneficial they were also installed in custom colours that matched the rooms existing colour scheme.

Ecophon Solo Hanging Acoustic Panels

The acoustic installation was successful. Respace Acoustics delivered above and beyond the requirements of the customer. Now Expedia employees can have meetings comfortably  in their new sound sonic meeting/conference rooms.

Intela contacted Respace Acoustics for an acoustic solution for their video conference meeting room.

Intela had extremely poor acoustics in their video conference room. This was due to minimal sound absorbing materials and a myriad of hard surfaces. With the sound reverberation high, it was very difficult to have video conference meetings  at all.

Printed Acoustic Panels

Respace Acoustics provided a bespoke acoustic solution for the video conference room through the installation of custom printed acoustic panels. This lowered the reverberation time within the room massively and created a sound sonic, comfortable environment for video conferencing to take place.

Not only were the acoustic panels beneficial acoustically, they also gave the room  light, enthusiasm and design through acoustic artwork and printed design.

The project was a success and the customers, very happy with the custom acoustic end result.

Respace Acoustics was contacted by D.I.G for a an acoustic solution for there exhibition room.

D.I.G is an archaeology adventure created by the same team behind the Jordik Viking centre. The exhibition is very popular and is housed in an old church. As the ceiling are very high and there are not many places to put sound absorbing materials, the church is very noisy and uncomfortable when in use.

Ecophon Wall Panels, Ecophon Master Solo rafts and Ecophon Master Baffles

Respace Acoustics suggested three different acoustic treatments to solve the problem;

1. Ecophon wall panels would be installed within the nave of the church

2. Ecophon Master Solo rafts under a mezzanine level

3. Ecophon Master Baffles to be installed above the most noisy area – the digging pit.

Ecophon Wall Panels, Ecophon Master Solo rafts and Ecophon Master Baffles

These three installations resulted in a lower reverberation time. The speech intelligibility was increased and the general sound comfort in the room was increased dramatically.

Ecophon Wall Panels

Thanks to Respace Acoustics, both the students and the teachers work, learn and play in a comfortable sound sonic environment.

Find some colour inspiration here for your fabric acoustic panels…

Acoustic Fabric

Acoustic Fabric

Acoustic Fabric

Acoustic Fabric

Acoustic Fabric

Acoustic Fabric

The National Army Museum contacted Respace for an inconspicuous acoustic solution for their show room.

The National Army Museum in Chelsea, London has recently launched a new exhibition. The Conflicts of Interest exhibition explores the last three deceased of movement and roles within the British army.

The installation had nine areas, these all had unique AV installations. When the room and the AV installations were active  the acoustics were unbearable. This caused discomfort to both the staff and customers.

Ecophon Master Solo Rafts

Respace were asked to create an acoustic solution that would be inconspicuous in the black ceiling above.  ReSpace installed Ecophon Master Solo Rafts. The rafts were then spray painted black by a specialist company to match the ceiling.

Ecophon Master Solo Rafts

The installation resulted in a far lower reverberation time within a room that has no soft furnishings. Both the staff and customers can now use this room comfortably.

Respace Acoustics were contacted by Latitude for an acoustic solution for their meeting rooms.

Latitude are a well known, fast growing digital marketing company. The acoustics in all the meeting rooms in their building were so poor it was causing serious discomfort to the staff involved in using them.

Ecophon Acoustic Wall Panels

Respace recommended and installed a series of Ecophon hanging acoustic panels. This lowered the reverberation time within the meeting rooms to a much more comfortable level.

The improvement just six rafts made to the rooms were incredible. The speech intelligibility was improved significantly especially when using the conference phones.

With a few simple acoustic products, Respace was able to provide an acoustic solution for Latitude Digital Marketing that made their meeting activities more comfortable and enjoyable.

ReSpace Acoustics where contacted by the Regency building for Town and Country Planning Association. They required an acoustic solution for their noisy meeting room.

The meeting room has a ceiling over 5.5m tall, making the room an unfriendly environment for sound. The occupiers/customers use this room to generate income for charities and rent the room for conferences and other special functions. Recently several customers had complained that the room was too noisy and uncomfortable to work in thus affecting the revenue potential of many organisations.

Ecophon Wall Panel C

ReSpace Acoustics implemented an acoustic solution that not only lowered the reverberation time but complemented the building design perfectly. ReSpace installed Ecophon wall panel C. This reduced the reverberation time making the room sound efficient.

Ecophon Wall Panel C

To complement the rooms neutral aesthetics, Respace installed the Wall Panel in a beige. This combination enhanced the colours and lighting in the room, proving that a beautiful building can be acoustically perfect without any loss of design aesthetics. The installation’s success has enabled this space to be used effectively into the future.

The German Gymnasium contacted Respace Acoustics for an acoustic solution for their meeting/function room.

The German Gymnasium is located on Pancras Road, London, close to the new international railway station of St Pancras. The room is used for private functions and is often hired for its beautiful aesthetics.

Ecophon Acoustic Wall Panels

The boardroom is used for private functions. It has beautiful original features and some breath-taking modern furniture. As this building is of the Victorian era there is a myriad of hard surfaces which directly result in poor sound acoustics and poor speech capability.

Ecophon Acoustic Wall Panels

ReSpace recommended a supply and fit of a large acoustic wall panel to lower the reverberation time within the room. The colour of the wall panels were chosen to complement the rooms already amazing aesthetics. The installation delivered the acoustics improvements required and delivered design that is in keeping with the ‘soul’ of the building, thus proving that acoustics solutions can be implemented into any space and design.

ReSpace Acoustics was contacted by St Johns School in Billericay for an acoustic solution for their sports hall, class rooms and corridor areas.

To comply with BB93, ReSpace worked closely with Geraghty architects and main contractors JONAP for this new school build.

Respace installed Ecophon acoustic wall panels and ceiling panelling into to all classrooms and the sports hall to help reduce the reverberation time and ensure these areas were meeting the high levels of acoustic sound required.

Ecophon Master Solo Ceiling Rafts and Wall Panels

Using Ecophon ‘Master Solo’ class A absorbent acoustic ceiling rafts & Ecophon ‘Wall Panel A’class A absorbent acoustic wall panelling, Respace provided the sound quality and eye catching aesthetics desired by the customer.

Ecophon Ceiling Rafts and Wall Panels

The Full Acoustic Treatment used are shown below:

Install hanging Ecophon acoustic rafts to 18 new classrooms

Install Ecophon acoustic wall panelling to 18 new classrooms

Install Ecophon impact resistant acoustic wall panelling to new sports hall

By using the above acoustic products Respace achieved the best possible acoustic solution for the school.

Wendell Park School approached ReSpace Acoustics asking them to solve the acoustic problems within their school.

Working to a tight budget, ReSpace implemented Ecophon Solo (hanging acoustic panels) and Ecophon acoustic wall panels to achieve an outstanding acoustic solution. These products reduced the reverberation time of all sounds, therefore reducing the noise within the classrooms in the school.

Ecophon Acoustic Wall Panels

After the success of the initial installation ReSpace were asked to create a further series of acoustic solutions for another classroom and also their noisy  dining hall, both of these installations were successful in creating a far more pleasant environment for all.

Patcham Junior School approached ReSpace to find a solution to the acoustic problems in their classrooms.

Working within a tight budget,  ReSpace used Ecophon Master solo rafts to reduce the echo and reverberation time within the classroom. Therefore implementing a successful acoustic solution and creating an ideal learning environment.

Ecophon Master Solo Rafts

Due to the budgetary restraints ReSpace agreed to take a phased approach. Respace decided to prioritise the classrooms that had any hearing impaired students. These installations ensured that all students were enabled to learn within an effective environment.

Ecophon Master Solo Rafts

Respace now await the next instruction to improve the rest of the acoustics within the school and reach the sonic levels set out by BB93.

Respace was approached by Chichester High School for Girls with the desire to achieve an acoustic solution for their multi-purpose hall.

The two adjacent sports halls had problems with the sound transfer between them. There had been an acoustic wall previously fitted between the two halls, this did not solve the problems of noise transfer, especially when exams were taking place.

Ecophon Super G Impact Resistant Acoustic Panels

An independent acoustician had already recommended that the noise be reduced at the source. This could be done by implementing sound absorbing panels. This would then reduce the reverberation time thus reducing the need for raised voices. This lowered the overall sound level within the hall with the added benefit of making the hall usable for other activities such as assemblies and other social functions.

Ecophon Super G Impact Resistant Acoustic Panels

ReSpace implemented the Ecophon Super G Impact Resistant Acoustic panels to run as a course around the sports hall which achieved this successful concept and delivered huge benefits to all users of the facilities.

Ryder Architecture, a successful architectural practice in Newcastle, have completed many education projects. Ecophon were excited to showcase their products with them due to their excellent reputation.

Ryder Architecture are located in an industrial building. Therefore having quality sounds conference calls between the Newcastle and London offices was difficult.

Master Solo Acoustic Rafts and Ecophon Wall Panels

Respace created a sound quality solution using a combination of Ecophon Master Solo Acoustic rafts and Ecophon Wall panels. This lowered the reverberation time and created a comfortable sonic environment. This provided a huge increase in the quality of conversation between the two large offices.

Master Solo Acoustic Rafts and Ecophon Wall Panels

The use of the Master Solo acoustic product created an aesthetically pleasing ceiling feature that complemented the industrial building. The feedback from the customer read ‘the installation has surpassed our expectations’

Master Solo Acoustic Rafts and Ecophon Wall Panels

Simmon and Simmons, the large international law firm, contacted Re space about the acoustic design of their office space. Respace provided the solution with wall panel C and natural aluminium WP Profile

ace Acoustics worked closely with the designers, who as part of the full refurbishment of the offices by the main contractors Overbury, came up with the idea for the office space.

Ecophon Acoustic Wall Panel

Using wall panel C in complimentary colours and natural aluminium WP profile, ReSpace provided an aesthetically pleasing feature that also benefited the company acoustically. The WP profile was also added to the white board frames to add consistency of the design.

Wall Panel C Product

In summary Simmon & Simmons received an acoustically benefical product from Respace that was also aesthetically pleasing to the eye, with an implemented fashionable design to pay credit to the already stunning office.

Emarsys contacted ReSpace Acoustics for an acoustic solution. Respace used Ecophon and Soundsorba to provide this solution for them.

Emarsys are a fast paced Email Marketing Company, on their phone creating a noisy environment causes the sales team unwanted frustration and distraction. ReSpace therefore created a solution that would lower the overall noise level in the office.

Ecophon Wall Panels

ReSpace Acoustics created this solution from 5no. area of wall panels and 12no. hanging Soundsorba acoustic rafts. This created a combination of complimentary colours and design to the plain wall.

Exact Target approached ReSpace Acoustics for an acoustic solution for their office in London. Using a feature ceiling from Ecophon Master Solo Acoustic Rafts Respace was able to provide a result.

Exact Target are a fast growing email marketing company. Their offices, based central London are modern, clean and have minimal furniture. This caused a reverberation issue in this busy area.

Ecophon Master Solo

ReSpace produced a solution from a 35no. Using Ecophon Master Solo rafts Respace lowered the RT time, which also incorporated a design detail for the ceiling, thus creating an acoustic solution with an aesthetically pleasing nature.

Ecophon Master Solo Rafts

The feedback from a member if the Exact Target Team: “The panels we have chosen are simple and inconspicuous but they have added subtle design to the ceiling, adding to the whole office design. Noise seems to be lower – others’ conversations are not so sharp and distracting anymore. “

UsTwo, a vibrant multimedia firm contacted ReSpace Acoustics to solve their Acoustic Problem.

UsTwo recently moved  into the iconic Tea building in Shoreditch. The acoustic problem was due to the myriad of hard services one of which is a metal floor caused massive reverberations in the noisy environment. This also caused headaches and fatigue for the staff working there.

Ecophon Hanging Acoustic Panels

ReSpace solved this problem by implementing a series of Ecophon hanging acoustic panels. The panels lowered the reverberation time to a comfortable level. The panels also had an aesthetically pleasing nature to them.

An UsTwo member commented  ‘the rafts are incredible, not only do the lower the noise level from my partner Mills, but they also look great – which is very important to us.’

After the success of this install UsTwo then went on to ask ReSpace to undertake an additional install, this again was completed with the same success as before.

ReSpace Acoustics were contacted by Glaziers Hall to provide an acoustic solution for their large function space. The room walls in the room are plasterboard and the floor is wood planks, therefore this cluster of hard surface makes it difficult to hear anything within this space.

Ecophon Master Solo

Respace proposed the use of Ecophon Solo acoustic rafts. These would form a line down the centre of the room, making the acoustics in the room more preferable. These minimalist rafts complimented Glaziers Hall existing rectangular light fittings.

Ecophon Acoustic Products

With these ceiling panels in place, the halls echoes have been absorbed. Acoustic products are an important part of various industries worldwide. They provide a simplistic and aesthetically pleasing way of reducing hard noise in fundamental working rooms within these industries.

ReSpace provides a variety of acoustic solutions, services and products to all sectors. Their expertise, professionalism and reputation are second to none.

Staff restaurants can be pretty uncomfortable places and can be experiences much like the old noisy school canteen. We believe that by making commercial staff restaurants acoustically comfortable, you can create an excellent environment to relax, de-stress and create another comfortable place to meet and do business.

Staff Restaurant Acoustics - Ecophon Solo in Slate Grey and Multi-Coloured wall Panel C

Often, commercial premises suffer from a shortage of meeting rooms. The main reason for not using staff restaurant and breakout spaces for informal meetings is that they can be uncomfortably noisy. We have been able to transform these noisy spaces into areas that are more inviting than the meeting rooms themselves. Simply be creating the perfect listening environment.

For this project we used products from Ecophon. The highly effective sound absorbing hanging rafts, Ecophon Solo in dark slate and the  high quality acoustic performance and finish of Ecophon’s Wall Panel C system with Texona fabric colour panels chosen by the client to brighten up the space.

Slate Grey Ecophon Solo Hanging Acoustic Panels

The Ecophon Solo slate grey hanging acoustic panels are unobtrusive, you can barely notice them in this instance, the client wanted to inject colour using the Wall Panel C system – both systems are performing as highly effective sound absorbers and have transformed this space.

There are undoubtedly a huge number of companies out there – not realising how much better their staff spaces could be.

We have found that Ecophon’s acoustic panelling system ‘wall panel c‘ with Texona fabric to be incredibly effective in combating the common problem of reverberation / echo within rooms. This acoustic product truly has stunning sound absorbing qualities. The choice of Texona fabric is sufficient enough to create a striking, high quality feature suitable for high end environments.

Ecophon Wall Panel C - Staff Restaurant

The class A sound absorbing properties of this system mean that less panelling is required than alternative products on the market – this can be a godsend when there are is limited wall space available and means that the cost to performance ratio is superb.

Ecophon Wall Panel C - Boardroom

A room with this acoustic panel system installed creates an excellent listening environment and is ideal for combating office noise in open plan offices, meeting rooms, restaurants and open spaces such as halls.

Ecophon Wall Panel C - Meeting Room

Ecophon ‘wall panel c’ is a highly effective noise reduction system that truly transforms noisy spaces and creates a crisp and deadened acoustic environment.

Ecophon Wall Panel C - Light Beige Texona

Our customers, enter a space treated by this product, make a noise and the next sound is… ‘wow!’.