How to Improve Cinemas and Theatres Acoustics

To ensure an optimal experience for spectators during the viewing of a film or a show, it is essential that the acoustic comfort is perfect inside the halls and theaters. In fact, it must be kept in mind that in case the viewer is unable to properly follow the dialogues between the characters due to excessive reverberation in the room or noises from the outside, most likely that person will not return to that given cinema or theater.

To avoid acoustic problems in cinemas and theatres, it is therefore crucial to intervene on two important fronts: on the one hand, by reducing the reverberation effect and other possible disturbances inside the reproduction halls by the mean of acoustic absorption intervention; on the other hand, limiting the infiltration and propagation of noise to and from the outside thanks to the rooms’ sound insulation.

Sound absorption in cinemas and theatres

There are many factors that influence the acoustic inside a cinema or a theatre and make it not the best because of obvious reverberation problems. Think, for example, about the halls and theaters’ sizes, the loudspeakers’ positioning and the structures’ shape.

In these cases, acoustic correction interventions are necessary, characterized by the insertion in the environments of sound-absorbing materials able to reduce the propagation and bounce of sound waves through the absorption of its strength.

The two main solutions that can be applied in cinemas and theatres are:

• Installation of sound-absorbing panels: they can be coated with different materials (such as wood and textiles) and in most cases they are easily integrated into existing structures;

• Application of sound-absorbing plasters: they are less invasive than panels, but they are also less aesthetically pleasing.

In both cases the intervention must be carefully studied, in order to identify the most effective solution for each individual case, and it is always suggested not to neglect the aesthetic aspect of the solution that you want to use, especially inside theaters where attention to interior design plays an important role in its reputation.

Sound insulation in cinemas and theatres

The problem that most of all disturbs viewers when watching a film or a show is undoubtedly the breaking into the room of particularly loud and deafening noises coming from the nearby halls or from the outside. Imagine, for example, to watch a comedy, during which you can hear the explosions’ sounds coming from the action film in the next room.

To overcome this type of problem, acoustic insulation measures are necessary, involving the introduction of physical barriers with high specific mass and cavities in the structure, which can limit the acoustic energy inside the rooms. Furthermore, by appropriately decoupling the coatings it is possible to obtain the insulation of the entire surface (including ceilings and floors), thus avoiding the creation of Cds acoustic bridges.

In conclusion, the acoustic problems that affect cinemas and theatres are many and can be particularly complex, for these reasons it is always advisable to contact experienced professionals in the sector.

Fonte: a cura di Mappy Italia SpA, info@mappyitalia.com