Soundproofing vs. Acoustic Treatment

We have people asking us all the time if they can buy a couple of panels to “sound proof” their room, to which we always reply, “unfortunately, no.” We understand that these two concepts might be confusing for some people, and so today, we’re going to explain the differences between sound proofing a room, and acoustically treating it.

Acoustic treatment is the process of controlling the sound within a room. It involves the use of materials such as acoustic panels, diffusers, and bass traps to reduce reflections and echoes in the room, and to achieve a more balanced sound. Acoustic treatment is typically used in music studios, home theaters, and other spaces where sound quality is important. By controlling the sound within the room, acoustic treatment can help to create a more comfortable listening environment and improve the overall quality of the sound.

Soundproofing, on the other hand, is the process of reducing the amount of sound that enters or leaves a room. It involves the use of materials such as insulation, mass-loaded vinyl, and sound barriers to block sound waves from passing through walls, floors, and ceilings. Soundproofing is typically used in spaces such as recording studios, practice rooms, and noisy environments, where it is important to prevent sound from escaping the room or interfering with neighboring spaces.

The main difference between acoustic treatment and soundproofing is the purpose of each technique. Acoustic treatment is focused on controlling the sound within a room, while soundproofing is focused on preventing sound from entering or leaving the room. While some materials, such as acoustic panels, can be used for both acoustic treatment and soundproofing, the methods and techniques used for each are different.

It is important to note that while soundproofing can help to reduce the amount of sound that enters or leaves a room, it cannot completely eliminate all sound. Sound waves can still penetrate through the smallest of gaps and cracks, so it is important to use the right materials and techniques to achieve the desired level of sound reduction. Simply put, a couple of acoustic panels will not sound proof anything.

If you have space that you are looking to improve, sonically, send us an email and let us know what you are working with. We can help make suggestions to acoustically treat your space with our one of a kind acoustic art panels!