Because of their typically hard and reflective surfaces, gymnasiums often have poor acoustics, making speech understanding difficult due to echoes and reverberation combined with a high level of activity that usually occurs within them.
The average gymnasium has a reverberation time of about 3-7 seconds, which leads to a series of indistinguishable, undirected reflections that are much worse than just one echo. This can create the impression of an omnipresent sound that can distract in the best of times.
Fighting the reverberation of gymnasiums
Acoustic wall panels or acoustic hanging partitions would be a good way to solve these reverberations. Hanging partitions that have two sides and their edges exposed to sound can absorb it, making it possible, perhaps, the best way to cope with the reverberations of gymnasiums.
At double the size of the surface of the wall panel 2 * bull; the hanging partition also has an additional marginal area, which gives a direct advantage to wall panels. These two-inch bulkheads have an impressive absorption of 18 square feet, together with a coefficient approaching a theoretical limit of 1.00. Wall panels are limited by the area of the front surface for absorption, so they can be an excellent addition, which is also of great value for money.
After the partitions have been installed, you can add wall panels to control any reflections from side to side. It combats any annoying echoes from direct reflections. For gymnasiums, these panels must be very effective in the event of damage (soccer balls, etc.). Direct reflections are also broken down into seats or other objects in the room, so several wall panels may be required.
Of course, the gym is likely to still sound like a gym, but when it is acoustically processed, it will sound better and clearer - not too dry. If the gym sounds too much, it can create what is known as sound disconnect with accessible visual space - think of music with dubbing or music when it is performed by a live crowd. Not exactly attractive, is it? Acoustics should be appropriate to the environment in order to create a comfortable place to practice, so it is important to balance the balance.
Conclusion
Hanging partitions are the most effective, least intrusive option for soundproofing gyms; they are also usually the best value for money, and are set out of sight over the lights, so you don’t need to worry about overall cleanliness. With additional surface area, fewer parts to install. With the addition of wall panels, your acoustically-finished gymnasium is completed.
