Auditorium Acoustics

We have all attended, at one time or another, an event where we have difficulty clearly hearing the lyrics to the music, the words of the speaker, or the separation of the musical instruments of an orchestra. It is very frustrating. 

It is unfortunate that there are lecture halls, theatres and auditoriums that look beautiful, but the acoustics are terrible. It is sad to think of all the hundreds of hours that go into rehearsal time by the lecturer or performers so that they can give a flawless delivery and yet they happen to be performing in a space with inferior acoustics. What a shame! This doesn't even take into account the listener, who paid for a ticket only to be disappointed because they couldn't hear clearly what they wanted to hear. Again, what a shame!

Think Ballrooms and large event spaces for wedding receptions! We all have our stories of the music blaring so loudly that it makes it practically impossible for guests to visit with one another. Sometimes, they just give up trying to talk! It doesn't have to be this way.

Auditorium, multipurpose room and performance space acoustics are unique and complex because several different elements are being required of the spaces at the same time. The spoken word, vocal and or instrumental music all need something different.

These spaces could be anything from a space where a basketball game is played on one night and the school musical is performed on the next night, to a very sophisticated space where corporations conduct global teleconferences and multimedia events.

An auditorium could also be where professional theatre and musical productions are performed.


In performance space acoustics, auditorium acoustics, and multipurpose space acoustics it is important that when designing the acoustics of these spaces, to be aware of the "feel" of the space.

This does not refer to anything visual, but rather the "acoustic feel" of the space. Unbeknownst to people who use these spaces, if the space is not acoustically balanced, then people may feel restless, or uncomfortable, or stressed. 

The importance of messages that are spoken or musically delivered can be lost if the space has poor acoustics.

It is our goal to learn from our clients what the uses of their spaces will be and to design those spaces so that regardless of where one is sitting, they can hear clearly, whether it is a choir performance, a play, a lecture, a concert or a multimedia event.