What exactly does the Acoustic Optimizer do? How does it work?
The Acoustic-Optimizer absorbs the sound pressure that is concentrated in the edges and corners of a room.
Especially low frequencies (the vowels in speech) are amplified and distorted in the corners of the room.
By absorbing these disturbing noises, a room with clear, clean acoustics and perfect speech intelligibility is created.
What's so bad about 90-degree angles?
Sound pressure is reflected back from room edges (and even more so from the room corners, where 3 edges meet) in a distorted form – and amplified by up to 20 dB. This noise overlaps with the desired sound (speech, music) and leads to stress reactions. As a rule, there is furniture at the lower edges of the room to prevent this effect. But the transition from wall to ceiling is usually free and allows the sound pressure free play.
To what extent does the Acoustic Optimizer reduce reverberation?
Since there is currently no measurement or calculation method for the so-called edge effect, the effect cannot be expressed in figures. However, its effect can be felt audibly by each individual. The Acoustic Optimizer absorbs the noise that occurs at 90° edges and in room corners. A welcome side effect is the reduction of reverberation.
Does the Acoustic Optimizer meet the requirements of the DIN 18041?
As a rule, compliance with DIN 18041 leads to rooms that are overdamped to a great extent without meeting the actual requirement. Although the room is quieter, people then have to speak in a raised voice. The Acoustic Optimizer absorbs the noise that causes stress and calms the room without overdamping it, which is why our Acoustic Optimizer intentionally only partially meets the requirements of DIN 18041.
Can you summarise the difference between the acoustic ceiling and the Acoustic Optimizer in a single point?
You can indeed: large-area absorbers on the wall or ceiling absorb high frequencies particularly well and thus the consonants. However, these consonants are crucial for speech intelligibility (corona masks do exactly the same and everyone is now aware of their speech-impairing effect). The Acoustic Optimizer absorbs the low frequencies at the edges of the room without affecting the high frequencies. This is how clear and clean speech intelligibility is achieved.
We have a child with a cochlear implant.
Then the Acoustic Optimizer is exactly what you need: it absorbs disturbing noise and creates a clear volume difference between disturbing noise and useful noise (speech). Full-surface damping, on the other hand, dampens all noise (including speech) equally, making it difficult to communicate over distances (e.g. across the classroom).
Can you give us any references?
The Acoustic Optimizers have been installed in many buildings. You are welcome to visit a site to see the effectiveness for yourself. Just give us a call and we will give you the contact details of references in your area.
How many elements do we need for a 60-square-metre room?
This also cannot be calculated using a formula. It is not the volume of the room that is decisive, but the type of construction. However, you can easily determine the requirements yourself with the help of a room sketch: Please download this PDF to do so. You'll see that it’s actually quite simple. Please keep in mind that the space requirement of a single element from dowel to dowel is 127 cm.
We are currently in a temporary building/rental property. Can we transfer the Acoustic Optimizers to other rooms later?
You can: The elements can be removed very easily. If you need new fixing material, just give us a call.
Can we wash the fabric cover?
You can wipe or vacuum the fabric with a damp cloth: it is a robust upholstery fabric. However, the cover cannot be removed and put in the washing machine. If it is extremely dirty or damaged, we offer to re-cover it. So the core does not have to be thrown away.
The fire department has asked whether the elements are flammable.
The fabric cover is flame retardant B1, the inner material (mineral wool) is non-flammableA1. The suspension is made of metal. The elements may also be hung above escape routes.
Our rooms are not rectangular. Will the Acoustic Optimizer still help?
The Acoustic Optimizer cannot solve all problems, but we can give you more specific information if you send us photos and dimensions of the room. Please have a look at this PDF for this purpose.
Our rooms have suspended ceilings. Can we hang the elements on them?
The maximum load per dowel is 3.25 kg (for the EWA.20, the standard element). If you have doubts, ask a structural engineer whether the ceiling can bear the total load: 3.25 kg multiplied by the number of elements. If the ceiling is unsuitable, we will supply appropriate wall fasteners at the same price.
Can we do the installation ourselves?
You can install the Acoustic Optimizers yourself. We supply the mounting material as well as detailed instructions for both ceiling and wall mounting. We can also do the installation for you on request.
To the Contact
To the phone: +49 231 - 99 76 000