Improve the sound of any room

In our local Charlottesville area, Crutchfield has installed sound systems in numerous restaurants and clubs. And we've designed systems for breweries across the country, as far away as Alaska and Hawaii. The speakers, amplifiers, and other gear vary depending on the size and layout of the venue, but one thing we always recommend is acoustic treatment. AlphaSorb panels are a great, cost-effective way to improve the sound of any room.

Whether the decor is rustic wood and stone or industrial concrete and glass, a room with hard surfaces will generate a jumble of echoes and reflected sounds that make music sound distorted and muddy, and make conversation in a crowded space just about impossible without shouting. I've walked out of places that were too noisy and you probably have, too. AlphaSorb panels strategically placed on the walls or ceiling will reduce reflections and restore clarity.

AlphaSorb panels also carry a Class A fire rating, which is typically required for public venues.

Great for a listening room, studio, or home theater, too

Acoustic treatment can be equally effective in a home audio setup, whether it's a pair of stereo speakers or studio monitors, or a full surround sound system. The goal is the same: you want instruments to sound lifelike and vocals to sound clear. In an untreated room, the sound from your speakers bounces off your room's walls and other surfaces, degrading the sound, especially in the mid and high frequencies. These panels absorb around 85% of the sound that strikes them.

This panel features a 24" x 48" x 1"-thick high-density fiberglass board covered in a special acoustically transparent fabric made by Guilford of Maine. 

Taking the measure of a sound absorber

AlphaSorb 1" panels carry an overall NRC rating of .85. NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient) is the most common spec listed with sound absorbing products, and represents the amount of energy absorbed when sound strikes a surface. An NRC of 0 indicates 100% reflection, while an NRC of 1.0 indicates 100% absorption. For more information on sound absorption, plus panel placement tips, check out our room acoustics article.