Office Sound Masking

We offer high-tech sound masking solutions that control the impact of noise on productivity and privacy in the workplace. Sound masking systems reduce the intelligibility of speech, which can improve privacy and lessen the impact of noise on productivity.

Understanding the background noise problem in open offices – the ABC’s

The A’s – Absorption:Furnishings, acoustic panels and tiles absorb noise. Absorptive elements increase acoustical comfort.

The B’s – Blocking: Walls, doors, and windows are barriers that stop noise from travelling from one space to another.

The C’s – Covering: HVAC systems or Sound Masking systems raise the ambient sound level in the space. This interferes with speech sounds and distracting noises.

It is imperative that the design of today’s higher-density office spaces includes appropriate amounts of each of these elements. This is critical to achieve a good acoustical environment. It makes good business sense to include sound masking in budget planning.

How Sound Masking Works

Benefits of Top Performing Sound Masking Systems

Features of Top Performing Systems

These features of the best sound masking system for offices are all standard with Vibra-Sonic Control. They allow the system to achieve the specified frequency spectrum in order to effectively cover speech and noise distractions. At the same time they will produce a soft homogeneously distributed sound.

Equalization
Sound spectrum adjustment allowances are an essential part of sound masking. Various qualities such as the size, finishings and layout of the space will affect how sound behaves.

A system that includes a 1/3 octave equalizer allows for fine-tuning. We generate pink noise and then calibrate it to the original specifications or national standard sound masking spectrum.

Multi-Channel
On large projects, zones and floors will require unique, independent spectrum development depending on their needs. Centralized Digital Systems work well on large projects to provide one central control for all areas and/or floors. We discuss volume requirements and other parameters in the planning phase and then implement them.

Upward Emitting Speakers
We install speakers upwards to emit sound that achieves an even distribution of sound masking. You can complete this installation process in both open and closed office environments. We install speakers in the plenum space above the ceiling tiles facing upwards. The structural ceiling above bounces the sound, reflecting it downwards through acoustic tiles into the room below.

Adaptable Speakers
Speakers are adaptable and offered in various models. This accommodates open ceiling applications or unique spaces that require facing the speaker down. Each speaker has individual volume controls, allowing for fine adjustments in localized areas.

Expert Speaker Layout
We install speakers in a grid pattern to ensure consistent distribution throughout the environment. Design of the speaker layout is best done by a Sound Masking Professional to achieve optimal results. The layout design will take into consideration all characteristics of the environment.

Sound Masking technology is best used in conjunction with other products. These include high quality acoustic tiles, other absorptive elements and barrier components to maximize overall effectiveness.

Value Added Options:

Paging
Instead of installing another speaker system, we can use the paging function in our processors.

This saves the cost of installing a second speaker system with its associated components.

Background Music
You can add music to defined areas within the environment.

Scheduling
You can adjust the systems volume at specific times each day when office activity is higher or lower.

Speech Privacy Enhancement
For those highly confidential conversations. With the push of a button the masking volume increases in an area adjacent to an office or meeting. This means the conversation has a higher level of privacy.

Critical Issues & Considerations

• Sound masking must be quiet, subdued and natural sounding. To people working in the area, masking should sound natural.
• Consistency with the response to sound by human ears is critical. Matching the shape of the sound spectrum to human ears does this. In most cases the criteria is on NC-38-40 curve.
• Up front auditing and planning for the entire space is critical to success. It is beneficial to consider other workplace acoustic products to maximize results. For example, acoustic panels work in conjunction with sound masking products.
• Office Sound Masking is best introduced before people move into a workplace. However, in many cases, you need to install it in an existing office space. In this case, it is best introduced slowly over a period of time. This way the introduction will be less noticeable and any disruption to the working environment minimal.
• It is important that acoustic sound masking be as homogenous as possible. Yet, at the same time be flexible enough to be locally adjustable to address individual preferences.
• The local volume control is important to localized building environments. The space may generate an increase or decrease in the background sound level.

Our Products

We are proud to be Canada’s Premier Dealer of AtlasIED sound masking solutions. The full range of sound masking devices includes speakers, amplifiers, generators and processors. We offer solutions to meet any design size or challenge including large, open concept offices to small, single spaces.

Applications:

•  Corporate Espionage Prevention

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Contact Our Workplace Acoustics and Architectural Acoustics experts.