Conference rooms: Criteria, guidelines, acoustical problems solutions (case studies)

Abstract

Conference rooms are subject to privacy and sound containment issues, intrusive and distracting noise, excessive continuous background sound, and reflection/reverberation problems, particularly those with microphones and loudspeakers. Good acoustical environments are necessary for intelligible speech communications and remote signal transmissions, while sound isolation is needed for privacy and prevention of distraction. Acoustical criteria are presented with practical guideline parameters. Case studies cover acoustical problem issues that needed correction in existing conference rooms. On-site observations, acoustical measurements and analyses of facility plans were used to diagnose problems and determine correction approaches. Photographs are shown to illustrate difficult conditions. While little is original, the case studies point out classic problems of flutter echoes, ceiling-mounted or suspended microphones, back radiated loudspeaker noise in ceiling plenums, glass walls, multiple sound flanking paths, and similar problems found. Solutions developed or implemented are presented. In some cases, before and after data are provided to show results.