Speaker Placement affects every aspect of Comfort and Privacy!
While it’s true that the key element of any sound masking system is its ability to provide precise, uniform sound distribution, speaker placement is the single greatest element that affects uniformity.
High-Tech Band-aid
or
Hassle Free Privacy Solution?
Indirect-field sound masking systems worked well in their day, given the technology originally available, but the newest generation direct-field technology provides greater comfort and privacy to its users. However, the latest trend in indirect-field systems is towards incorporating computerized, high-tech tuning methods in an effort to overcome the acoustical difficulties of the plenum. Above-ceiling speaker placement makes it tremendously challenging for such systems to achieve high levels of uniformity.
In contrast, the VoiceArresttm Sound Masking system takes full advantage of the speaker enhancements of the last decade, utilizing Direct-field, Ultra-wide dispersion speaker technology to deliver the most uniform sound masking available.
Four Performance Issues Solved with Direct-field Speaker Technology
- Consistent Sound: The Goldilocks Principle What difference does it make if the sound masking in some areas of a room is “too loud” and others “too soft”? It doesn’t – as long as you’re working in an area of the room that’s “just right” – otherwise you’re either annoyed by the excessive sound or frustrated by the lack of adequate privacy.–>Excellent privacy without annoyance is possible for everyone in the room – but only when the masking volume and frequencies are precise and extremely uniform. This degree of consistency is only accomplished through correct speaker type and placement. Read More >
- System Tuning: The Art of Compensating For Incorrect Speaker Placement Putting speakers on the opposite side of ceiling tiles from the area you’re trying to treat poses obvious problems. Extensive tuning is required in an attempt to compensate for distortions to the spectrum and variations to the volume. Achieving adequate uniformity is a serious challenge for these indirect-field systems.–>The Direct-field speaker technology used by the VoiceArrest System allows the masking spectrum to be Pre-Tuned to the most effective spectrum. This is possible since the sound is emitted directly into the treated space without interference. System tuning eliminates possible points of failure because the performance of your privacy system is no longer dependent upon structural variations and obstructions, or on the installer’s expertise, equipment, or patience. Read More >
- Quieter Sound: Buy Effective Sound, Not Just More Sound By maximizing two critical factors, the VoiceArrest system is able to deliver the highest levels of speech privacy, while still operating at a much less-intrusive 4 to 6 decibels quieter than other systems. The VoiceArrest Sound Masking System:–>Targets specific frequencies that have the greatest impact on speech intelligibility while eliminating frequencies that simply add noise.
–>Delivers precisely controlled sound uniformity for both volume and frequencies throughout the entire treated areas. Theoretically indirect-field systems could take some measures to lessen these problems, such as providing each loudspeaker with volume and frequency control, using many more loud-speakers (spaced 10’ rather than 15’ apart), and providing sound-attenuating “boots” at each opening in the ceiling. Realistically, these measures are rarely employed because of the resulting costs to the project. Some indirect field providers claim they can provide strict uniformity without these corrective measures, but most will simply say that a wider variation in masking sound level is acceptable (if the issue is even addressed at all). Read More > - Zoned Sound: It’s All About Control This may seem like an obvious thing, but plenum-based systems treat these different types of offices as if they’re exactly alike. The revolutionary VoiceArrest™ Speech Privacy System allows these areas to be easily zoned with no unwanted bleed over effect. The sound is delivered only where you need it. Read More >
