Why Some Spaces Sound Better Than Others: The Science of Room Acoustics
Have you ever walked into a large, empty room and noticed how your voice echoes when you speak, shout or clap? Or struggled to hear a conversation in a noisy restaurant? Children often intuitively recognise the acoustics of a space and love to show it off by vocalising. Maybe you’ve been to a concert where the music sounded crystal clear, while in another venue, it felt muddled and distant.
What you’re experiencing is the power of acoustics - the way that sound behaves in a space can change how well you can hear and enjoy sound, as well as how well you can concentrate, how you feel, and even how food tastes!
Room acoustics shape our everyday experiences, from how well we concentrate in offices to how we enjoy music in theatres. But why do some spaces sound great while others create a sonic mess? We often only notice when acoustics cause an ‘effect’, but whether that is a positive effect that supports the intended use of the space is the factor that decides whether the acoustics are ‘good’ or ‘bad’.
In this post, we’ll break down the science of room acoustics - so next time you notice that you’ve found a Goldilocks room (which sounds just right), you’ll know why! You may even consider optimising your own space to get the best out of it and support your own health and well-being by unlocking the power of acoustic design.
Contents:
What is Room Acoustics?
Room acoustics refers to how sound interacts with an enclosed space. Three key factors influence the way a room sounds:
Reflection – When sound waves bounce off walls, floors, and ceilings. If there’s too much reflection, sound can become reverberant (echoey), chaotic and overwhelming.
Absorption – Some materials absorb the energy of sound instead so reduce it. Carpets, curtains, soft furniture and even acoustic art are examples of this which reduce excess noise.
Diffusion – scattered reflections of sound spreads the energy evenly throughout a space without the harsh and strange effects that result from focusing sound. Well-designed rooms prevent sound from gathering in certain areas while being too quiet in others.
Each of these elements plays a role in how sound behaves in different environments, from concert halls, to cinemas to cafés.
Real-World Examples – How Acoustics Shape Our Experience
🎭 Concert Halls & Theatres – Designed for Acoustic Perfection
Have you ever noticed that your favourite musician may sound incredible in one venue, but not as good in another?
The reason behind this could be because music venues such as concert halls are carefully designed to enhance different aspects of music (like clarity and warmth), whilst theatres are designed to support and carry voices to the audience. The space can be thought of as an unseen instrument itself, which takes the sound created and presents it to the audience. It is what makes a professional musician sound great!
Bad acoustics: A poorly designed hall might have sound bouncing in odd ways, creating an uneven listening experience leaving sound unclear, quiet, and not the way intended by the conductor and the musicians.
Good acoustics: Spaces like the Royal Albert Hall are acoustically challenging - they have long reverberation times when empty but come to life when full because people absorb sound. In these spaces, surface finishes can be used to naturally reflect sound, whilst elements such as hung reflectors (that look like mushrooms) can be used to diffuse the sound. These factors make sure that every note reaches the audience and can be perceived in the way the performer intends.
🏢 Offices & Workspaces – Unlocking Productivity
Many modern offices are open-plan, which looks great—but can quickly become noisy, stressful and impossible to concentrate in. For an office to be inclusive, it must cater for those with aurally diverse needs (so one size does not fit all!). Acoustics must be carefully considered to ensure that acoustic environments are suitable for everyone’s success.
The problem: Too much noise from conversations, ringing phones, coffee machines, ventilation systems and keyboards builds up and causes cognitive load on the brain, reducing productivity and leaving staff tired and stressed.
The solution: Acoustic panels, carpets, and partitions, together with a diverse mix of areas, including areas optimised for quiet and privacy, can help to provide staff with working options. This helps to reduce distractions and create calmer, more productive workspaces.
🏠 Homes & Restaurants – Why Some Spaces Feel Cozy (and Others Don’t)
Our homes are where we sleep, relax, and entertain, as well as work and homeschool (particularly prevalent in a post-pandemic world). This means that the use of our homes is more intense and diverse than ever before.
Whether it is designing bedrooms to be quiet at night, insulating sound from other environments to achieve privacy, or just getting the acoustics right, it’s important to make the home an acoustic environment that works for its occupants. Getting the right advice is crucial, as it’s easy to get it wrong, and egg boxes will not cut the mustard.
Restaurants are also spaces where the acoustic environment has a huge impact on pleasantness and overall visitor comfort. Have you ever wondered why some restaurants seem overly loud and chaotic while others feel calm and intimate?
The problem: Hard floors, glass windows, and high ceilings can cause excessive sound reflection, making conversations difficult and unintelligible. This can be exacerbated by the Lombard Effect, where people naturally raise their voices to be heard over high levels of background noise, causing a runaway increase in noise levels.
The solution: Thoughtful design, such as upholstered seating, soft furnishings, and ceiling treatments together with diffusion, can create a more comfortable and conversation-friendly atmosphere. Also, food tastes less salty in quieter, calmer environments!
📚 Schools & Hospitals – The Importance of Good Acoustics
Acoustics matter even more in places where concentration, well-being, and recovery are essential.
In schools: Poor acoustics can make it difficult for pupils/students to hear their teachers, affecting learning outcomes and how well they can retain the information.
In hospitals: High noise levels increase stress hormones for patients and staff, impacting recovery time and making it a necessary relief to get home quickly to escape the alarms and noise.
We at Sustainable Acoustics work with schools and healthcare facilities to design quieter, more effective environments, which enhance learning and recovery.
Simple Fixes for Common Acoustic Problems
You don’t need to be an acoustic engineer to improve the sound of a space! Here are a few easy ways to fix common acoustic issues in homes and businesses:
✔ Add soft materials – Rugs, curtains, and cushions help absorb excess noise.
✔ Use bookshelves strategically – A full bookshelf can act as a natural sound diffuser!
✔ Install acoustic panels – These can be stylish and functional, perfect for offices and cafés.
✔ Reduce hard surfaces – Too much glass, concrete, or tile? Balance it with softer elements – try cork for floor coverings.
✔ Sound Art – Get your favourite pictures printed onto acoustic panels and hang them up to reduce reverberation within a space.
How Sustainable Acoustics Can Help
Great acoustics don’t just happen by accident - we ensure that they are designed with purpose, and with sustainability at their forefront. Whether it’s a music venue, office, home, or school, understanding acoustics can make any space more enjoyable, productive, comfortable and ultimately successful.
At Sustainable Acoustics, we specialise in designing spaces that sound as good as they look. We use Acoustics for Life – improving quality of life one project at a time. Our expertise helps businesses, architects, and communities create better-sounding environments while supporting sustainability.
Want to learn more? Contact us today to find out how we can help improve your space with expert acoustic design!