Home cinema room acoustics

When it comes to home cinema design, our thoughts tend to turn immediately to the most exciting elements of our setup: the audio-visual equipment. While a quality projector and state-of-the-art surround sound are  vital to your experience, room acoustics also play a huge part in how much you’ll enjoy the entertainment. Without the right acoustic treatments, sound can end up reflecting and distorting, resulting in unwanted reverberation or a lack of audio clarity. Here, we explore the types of treatment available and how they improve your home cinema acoustics.

Types of room acoustic treatments

room acousticsAbsorption

Absorption panels are designed with porous materials that trap sound waves and convert their energy to heat. This prevents audio being reflected back into the room. You don’t want to cover the whole room in these panels though; a rule of thumb when fitting absorption panels is to calculate the total surface area of your two side walls and cover 30-40% of this area. The panels should be placed at ear level.

Diffusion

Sound diffusion reduces echo and sound reflection. Foam, perforated wood and fabric wrapped panels are all available in different shapes and patterns, such as pyramid or wedge, to break up sound waves. Your home cinema fitters will determine which shapes, patterns and materials will work best for your needs, tailoring a solution that’s bespoke to your space.

room acousticsBass traps

Typically placed in the corners of your room, bass traps capture the low frequency notes and convert the sound waves into heat energy, preventing them from reflecting. Bass traps must be used with discretion to avoid reducing the bass impact and detracting from the overall audio experience.

room acoustics

Insulation

If your home cinema is part of your main living space, acoustic insulation is essential for

minimising the amount of sound travelling through the walls, floor and/or ceiling. Different materials block different types of sound, and your home cinema specialists will recommend the best option for your needs.

Which room acoustics are best for my home cinema?

At New Wave AV, our experts recommend a combination of treatments to optimise the room acoustics in your home cinema. The number and type of panels you need will depend on the acoustics of the room itself, as well as your desired sound quality and personal preferences. The goal is to achieve a balanced and immersive soundscape, and this is best left to professionals.

Considerations for determining the best type and quantity of acoustic treatments include:

  • the size and shape of your room
  • any problem areas that could create excessive echos, uneven frequency response or bass buildup
  • the distribution of panels across the room
  • your budget

Benefits of acoustic treatments

As we’ve seen, acoustic treatments combine to create the optimum audio experience in your home cinema. They offer:

  • reduced distortion caused by bouncing sound waves
  • improved sound clarity and definition
  • enhanced sound localisation, enabling viewers to better perceive the direction and movement of sound
  • improved balance of bass, mid-range and high-frequency energy
  • reduced noise transference

A note on speakers

Most people with a home cinema will understand the need for superior surround sound that places them at the heart of the action when they’re enjoying a film. With that in mind, it’s worth investing in high-quality speakers in order to enjoy clear, crisp audio with richer frequencies. Speakers by brands such as Artcoustic provide a good starting point for your home cinema acoustics, working with various treatments to create a full, balanced and immersive soundscape. Artcoustic speakers can also be colour-matched to your decor or hidden beneath covers printed with artworks, providing a discreet yet effective solution.

Room acoustics by New Wave AV

Here at New Wave AV, we specialise in home cinema systems and room acoustics, creating the perfect environment for your viewing pleasure. With over 100 home cinemas in Kent, Surrey and beyond under our belts, we can recommend and install the right equipment and treatments for your needs and budget. Contact us today to find out more, or book a demonstration at our dedicated home cinema in Surrey or Kent to see what’s possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Larger rooms typically have the best acoustics, as it takes sound waves longer to reach the walls. This means echoes and reverberations are less noticeable, even before you’ve had acoustic treatments installed.

Rooms with good acoustics generally have minimal hard surfaces and plenty of soft furnishings. Carpets or rugs, upholstered furniture and curtains all help to absorb sound, while tiled or wooden floors and large windows cause it to reflect and distort. Of course, in a home cinema, acoustic treatments should also be used in conjunction with a quality sound system to create the best possible soundscape.

The 38% rule refers to where you set your seating. If you have wall-mounted speakers either side of your screen, you should position your seating 38% of the way into a rectangular room from that front wall. This minimises standing waves and gives you a good starting point when it comes to the layout of your home cinema. The easiest way to enjoy the best possible acoustics, however, is to call in professionals who can calibrate your speakers and position seating and acoustic treatments to deliver an optimal audio experience.

A rectangular shape is best for acoustics, since this will facilitate predictable sound wave behaviour. The Golden Ratio, as it’s known among professionals, is 1:1.6:2.6. This means the room’s width is 1.6 times its height and the length is 2.6 times its height. Ideally, the room will also be free of obstructions such as pillars, which can create anomalies.

 

However, whatever shape your chosen home cinema room is, the team at New Wave AV can create a balanced and immersive audio experience that enhances your viewing pleasure.

Article by Kevin Whysall

I started my Audio Visual and Technology career back in 1992 working in the commercial and leisure sector across Europe. Then back in 2003 I founded New Wave AV and we are now a leading Smart Home, Home Cinema and Lighting Control company in the Southeast of England.

Share this page