How do sounds reflect back?

And how can we stop this? Most people have noticed that an empty or sparsely furnished room tends to echo. This issue often arises when moving into a new apartment, particularly if the place is still being set up and they haven’t yet brought all their furnishings and home textiles. This happens because of sound reflection, but it can be addressed using proper techniques.

What is sound reflection?

Sound waves bounce off the walls, creating waves of various directions and intensities within a room. While this reflected sound field helps us gauge distance and direction, it can become quite disorienting if the sound has a long reverberation time, as it interferes with the original sound. This interference can severely reduce the clarity and quality of both music and speech.

When we discuss a room’s acoustics, we’re actually referring to how sounds reflect. Traditional square rooms tend to have poor acoustics, while vaulted or round rooms generally perform much better. In a room with good acoustics, desired sounds are highlighted, and unwanted sounds are absorbed. Since most rooms in use today don’t have ideal acoustics, various tools are needed to enhance them.

You can eliminate unwanted sounds

Sound absorption helps to enhance acoustics. This involves using various methods to prevent sound reflection, thereby minimizing the chance of echoes. To do this, we need to use materials and devices that can absorb sound waves effectively.

Anyone who has been to a theater or cinema has likely noticed that sounds are suddenly much quieter, more subdued, and softer. This isn’t accidental; these venues are designed to absorb sound so that the audio from the performance or movie remains clear and comprehensible.

How to prevent sound reflection?

There are several tools to reduce sound reflections. Textiles are commonly used for this purpose: acoustic carpets, curtains, and panels help mitigate sound reflection issues.

As mentioned earlier, echoes in apartments often occur due to large, empty surfaces where sounds can bounce. Bare walls and floors are prime culprits. By placing tall furniture, hanging curtains on windows, laying carpets, and adding pictures or shelves to the walls, you can significantly reduce reflection because the surface area for sound to bounce off becomes smaller.

Acoustic textiles take this a step further by specifically covering surfaces where reflections might occur, effectively absorbing sound and improving acoustics.

Where should acoustic devices be placed?

Based on the above, it’s logical to target large, empty surfaces where sounds can bounce back. In cinemas, for example, all walls are covered with curtains—these are not ordinary curtains but acoustic ones that absorb noise. The floors are also covered with acoustic carpets for the same purpose, and panels can also be used to eliminate echoes.

Acoustic textiles are specially woven, thick materials effective in absorbing deeper sounds. These textiles can have various properties, determined by their weave. Before selecting them, it’s important to check if they meet your specific needs.

Quiet room even at home

With the help of acoustic textiles, you can even create a room at home that is free of echoes. This can be important if you need the perfect sound because of your work, but it can also come in handy if you play an instrument and practice a lot in your apartment, or if you simply want to watch a movie with sound quality. Acoustic curtains and rugs are also extremely decorative, available in many variations, so you’re sure to find one that fits in your home.

From now on, the focus is on use: remember that large, empty surfaces are needed first and foremost! A pleasant “side effect” is that they effectively filter out the noise coming from outside and do not allow the sound to spread from room to room. This can be important in order not to be disturbed by people living in a household: whoever wants to request to do so in a quiet bedroom, who can practice on his instrument, can do so without being disturbed by the sounds coming in from the next room. With acoustic textiles and other tools, you can create a truly quiet, peaceful environment at home, whether for relaxing, working, or cultivating your hobby.