There’s no worse feeling than trying to concentrate on a task with an unwanted noise in the background. The sound of a neighbor kicking a football, the dissonance of a misplayed chord, a sudden echo during a gripping podcast — noise has a way of distracting even the most focused few.
Fortunately, there are two prominent and easy ways to block noise — soundproofing and acoustic treatment. Both these noise reduction techniques interact with waves in various ways to lessen the impact of unwanted sounds and improve productivity.
However, despite often being lumped together, it’s crucial to note that these are both distinct solutions — with differing goals, costs, and installation considerations.
Wondering which you need for your next project? In this article, we’ll outline the difference between soundproofing and acoustic treatment.
What is Soundproofing?
Let’s start with the basics. Soundproofing refers to a series of methods that prevent sound from entering or leaving a room. The goal here is to create an isolated environment that’s as effective at blocking out your neighbor’s new-found love of Coldplay as it is at ensuring you can turn the speakers up to 11 during a party.
Several techniques can be used to achieve these goals, but some of the best soundproofing methods include:
● Mass-Loaded Barriers: A mass loaded barrier is usually a thin but very dense sheet of material that adds weight to a surface and makes it harder for sound waves to pass through.
● Insulation: When sound waves hit an insulated surface, they are either absorbed or reflected off it, which reduces the overall noise level in a room.
● Specialized Drywall: Many companies offer special drywall that can be used to block sound as it travels through the walls.
● Sealing Gaps: Even small gaps around doors or windows allow sound to escape or enter. A common soundproofing technique involves plugging these gaps with an acoustic caulk or sealant.
Each of these processes helps either deflect, absorb, or control sound vibrations as they move from one room to another. This makes them effective at blocking out traffic, as well as stopping noise from within a space from escaping.
As a result of these benefits, soundproofing solutions are often used in recording studios, factories, offices, apartments, and commercial spaces.
What is Acoustic Treatment?
Acoustic treatment, on the other hand, differs in its definition. This solution refers to a series of processes that improve the sound quality within a room.
Each of these systems helps reduce echoes, prevent unwanted reflections, and control reverberation — but have very little bearing on what noise goes in and comes out.
Such treatments are crucial because audio quality can be affected by many factors that are firmly out of our control — from the size of the room to the materials used in construction. Fortunately, there are several acoustic treatment services to opt for.
● Acoustic Panels: These fabric-wrapped boards are designed to absorb mid-to-high frequencies, which reduce echoes and reverberations.
● Bass Traps: These specialized absorbers specifically target low-frequency sounds — bass notes — to prevent muddiness in audio.
● Diffusers: These devices scatter sound waves evenly across a room, preventing
jarring sounds, coloration, or echoes.
● Fabric Tracking Systems: These customizable systems integrate acoustic fabrics into walls for both aesthetic and functional purposes.
Because they are so effective at improving sound within a space, acoustic treatment services are usually needed in places where high-quality sound is crucial — such as theaters, conference rooms, auditoriums, and, of course, music studios.
Soundproofing Vs. Acoustic Treatment: Major Differences
There’s more than one way in which these two services differ. Here’s a quick look at the major distinctions between acoustic panels vs. soundproofing methods.
● Goals: Acoustic treatment methods aim to improve the sound quality in a room, while soundproofing focuses on blocking noise from going in or leaving a space.
● Installation: Soundproofing techniques are usually deployed when constructing a space and are usually implemented into the walls, ceilings, and floors. Acoustic treatments are usually attached or suspended from attachments.
● Costs: An acoustic treatment is generally more affordable than a soundproofing solution, as it is easier to procure and install. Soundproofing is generally carried out at a foundational level, increasing not just the coverage area but also the cost.
● Materials used: While soundproofing often uses dense or thick materials to block the passage of sound altogether, acoustic treatment involves using materials that alter, shape, or enhance the sound waves.
Acoustic Panels Vs. Soundproofing: Which One Do I Need?
As you’d imagine, both solutions address different priorities and needs. Here are some basic questions you can ask to decide which is better for you:
● Am I more concerned with how to stop sound from entering a room — or how to improve the quality of the sound from within?
● Is a majority of the noise coming from an external source, or as a result of a boom or echo from within a room?
● Am I looking to create a space where I can relax and work in peace or one to improve the quality of sound, music, or conversation?
● How much am I willing to spend/renovate to make improvements?
Evolve Acoustic Has All the Answers You Need
At Evolve Acoustics, we leverage years of experience and expertise in sound design to help you answer these pressing questions and figure out an appropriate course of action.
Our solutions range from advanced soundproofing techniques to custom-made sophisticated acoustic treatments. These services find applications across spaces — from professional to casual home studios, theaters, office spaces, and more.
Besides using our expertise to evolve spaces across Los Angeles, our founder, Avi, leverages 17 years of experience in music mixing, mastering, and production to create acoustic products that seamlessly blend form and function.
Don’t just take our word for it — you can refer to some of the high-quality images and videos of past projects on our website. Once you’re ready, don’t hesitate to reach out for a consultation by following this link.
