Acoustic Transformation at New Harmony: Preserving Art, Improving Sound
Posted by Acoustics First in Absorption, Art Galleries, Articles, Customer Feedback, Diffusion, Multipurpose Rooms, Museums, Music Rehearsal Spaces, Product Applications on April 27, 2026
In New Harmony, Indiana, there is a former Odd Fellows Lodge repurposed as a private residence—the main hall doubles as an event and performance space. Measuring 80 by 40 feet with a 14-foot ceiling, the room features a mezzanine, raised stage, large windows, and an extensive collection of artwork. While visually striking, the space presented serious acoustic challenges.
Acoustics veteran, John Gardner was engaged to address these issues after experiencing a VIP performance tied to a blues festival. The goal was clear: improve the sound without disturbing the artwork or compromising the room’s aesthetic.
The Challenge: Excessive Reverberation and Harsh Reflections
Initial assessment and measurements revealed a highly reverberant and reflective environment:
- Reverberation times:
- ~3.5 seconds at 500 Hz
- Over 4 seconds at 1 kHz
- A pronounced “chatter” or flutter echo that degraded clarity
- Strong reflections from walls, mezzanine face, and windows
- Poor intelligibility for both speech and live music
Further analysis showed:
- Extended decay times in mid frequencies
- A rising frequency response:
- +12 dB from 63 Hz to 6.3 kHz
- High-frequency roll-off beginning near 8 kHz
- Noticeable slap-back echoes from rear wall surfaces
The Solution: Integrated, Art-Conscious Treatments
Given the requirement to preserve the room’s visual identity, all treatments were carefully selected and adapted to blend seamlessly into the environment.
Key treatments included:
- Mezzanine Face – Diffusion
- Installed a series of ArtDiffusor® Model F diffusors
- Arranged in a continuous matrix across the mezzanine face
- Positioned against existing molding for a clean, intentional look
- Purpose: break up reflections and reduce flutter echo without deadening the space
- Rear Wall – Absorption
- Installed Tone Tiles®
- Artist-painted to match the room while maintaining acoustic performance
- Purpose: reduce slap and high-frequency reflections
- Reflective Wall Treatment – Absorption + Aesthetic Matching
- Covered a large reflective wall with Sound Channels® wall fabric
- This material is acoustically absorptive, not transparent.
- Original paintings were reinstalled over the treated surface
- Artwork Enhancement – Distributed Absorption
- Added Sonora® panels (1-inch thick) behind existing canvas artwork
- Turned each piece into a functional absorber
- Created slight diaphragm damping effect due to the air gap behind canvases
- Maintained full visual integrity of the collection
- Window Treatment – Removable Absorption
- Installed custom-fit Sonora® panels within window frames
- Panels secured with minimal hardware and used only during performances
- Addressed reflections from large glass surfaces near the stage
Results: Balanced Acoustics Without Visual Compromise
Post-treatment measurements showed clear improvement:
- Reverberation reduced to:
- ~2.1 seconds at 500 Hz
- ~3.4 seconds at 1 kHz
- Reduced flutter echo and slap-back reflections
- More controlled and even frequency response
Performance Outcome: Proven in Practice
The ultimate validation came during the following year’s festival:
- The returning headline performer commented on how good the room sounded
- Performers were able to clearly hear themselves on stage
- Audience members and owners noted significantly improved clarity and warmth
Conclusion
The New Harmony project highlights how thoughtful acoustic design can coexist with architectural and artistic priorities. By using targeted solutions like ArtDiffusor® Model F Diffusors, Tone Tiles®, Sound Channels®, and Sonora® panels, John Gardner successfully transformed a challenging space into an acoustically balanced performance environment—without compromising its character.
Autism Spectrum Disorder and Acoustics
Posted by Acoustics First in Classrooms, Product Applications, Products, School & Educational Facilities, Sound proofing, Teaching Rooms on March 25, 2026
People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) frequently report different sensory experiences, especially with sound. Many experience hypersensitivity (overreaction to stimuli like noise or light) or hyposensitivity (reduced response, requiring stronger input). Unlike most individuals, they may not adapt to constant background noise, which can remain overwhelming. Tools like noise-canceling headphones and stim/fidget toys can help manage stress and support self-regulation.
Some autistic individuals also experience auditory processing disorder (APD), where sounds are heard but not easily understood. This can make following speech in noisy environments—like classrooms—especially difficult, even if other auditory skills remain strong.
Research on autism has often focused on traits, causes, and treatments, sometimes framing autistic individuals as the problem. A more balanced, modern, view considers how environments and nonautistic people contribute to disabling experiences. Under the social model of disability, society shares responsibility for reducing these challenges. Recent perspectives expand beyond individual traits to include social attitudes, accessibility tools, inclusive education, and building design.
The design of built environments plays a major role in comfort and performance, yet acoustics are often overlooked compared to lighting or air quality. Poor sound conditions—such as low signal-to-noise ratios—can hinder learning, particularly for children, people with hearing difficulties, or nonnative listeners. While accessibility standards address physical barriers, they rarely consider acoustic needs for autistic individuals. Studies show that high noise levels can increase distress-related behaviors in children living with autism. Both children and adults report that schools can be overwhelming due to noise, bright lights, and unpredictability, leading to fatigue and reduced learning.
To create more inclusive spaces, designers should focus on acoustics. This includes organizing layouts predictably, adding quiet “escape” areas, separating noisy and quiet zones, and using transitional spaces to ease sensory shifts. Effective sound isolation—through walls, windows, and floor/ceiling—is essential, as is reducing internal noise from building systems and other noise sources. Windows are often the weakest link through which sound can leak, but this can be mitigated with multi-pane window construction with an appropriately airtight and resilient joint sealant. The Sound Transmission Class (STC) and Outdoor-Indoor Transmission Class (OITC) of cavity wall systems can be improved with added mass, resilient layers and cavity absorption. Partitions should extend to their full height and be sealed to the structure of the roof deck or floor above. Penetrations through sound isolating partitions should be avoided. Wherever penetrations are unavoidable, they should be packed with insulation and sealed with a resilient joint sealant to minimize the leakage of sound.
Using sound-absorbing materials can further improve comfort. Sound Channels acoustic wall fabric is often specified in classrooms and “escape” rooms as it a very durable and cleanable material that provides sound absorption within speech frequencies, reducing echoes and overall noise levels.
Overall, designing for acoustic accessibility requires recognizing the diverse sensory experiences of autistic individuals. Inclusive environments should be shaped through thoughtful design and collaboration with autistic individuals, ensuring their lived experiences guide meaningful improvements.
References:
Caldas, Fernanda; Underwood, Samuel; Masiero Bruno S. and Wang, Lily M. Autism and Indoor Sounds Acoustics Today 20 (2) 21-29.
Acoustics First® releases new 3D Model Repository.
Posted by Acoustics First in Press Release, Products on February 25, 2026
For those users who like to design visually, Acoustics First® has released a new 3D model repository at:
https://acousticsfirst.com/acousticsfirst-3d-model.htm
Currently, the 3D models are available in .SKP and .GLB format for:
More models are coming soon. The repository is available at https://acousticsfirst.com/acousticsfirst-3d-model.htm or it is linked from any of the diffuser pages listed above.
Joint ASA/ASJ Meeting – 2025 Recap
Posted by Acoustics First in Uncategorized, Press Release on January 23, 2026
The joint meeting of the Acoustical Society of America (ASA) and the Acoustical Society of Japan (ASJ), held in Honolulu in December 2025, was a welcoming gathering for the international acoustics community. This joint congress happens only once every ten years, making it a rare opportunity for researchers, consultants, and students from both societies to come together, reconnect, and exchange ideas. Hosting the meeting in Hawaiʻi—literally and figuratively a bridge between the two countries—added to the collaborative and relaxed atmosphere.
Across the week, a wide range of ASA and ASJ technical committees organized sessions that showcased the diversity of acoustics research and practice. These included:
- Architectural Acoustics
- Noise
- Physical Acoustics
- Psychological and Physiological Acoustics
- Speech Communication
- Musical Acoustics
- Computational Acoustics
- Engineering Acoustics
- Education in Acoustics
- Structural Acoustics and Vibration
- Underwater Acoustics
- Signal Processing in Acoustics
- Biomedical Acoustics
- Animal Bioacoustics
- Acoustical Oceanography
Together, these sessions reflected the breadth of the field—from fundamental physics to human perception, from engineered systems to the natural environment.
One such session was organized by the Architectural Acoustics Technical Committee and focused on the Advances in Absorption Measurement and Design. Presentations explored how these materials are evaluated in the lab, how they are specified and integrated into buildings, and how they ultimately shape the acoustic experience of everyday spaces. This session was co-chaired by Jim DeGrandis (Acoustics First Corporation) & Daniel Robinson (Sublime) from the ASA, as well as Toshiki Hanyu (Nihon University) and Tetsuya Sakuma (The University of Tokyo) from the ASJ.
A highlight of the session was a three-part breakdown of a developing Japanese acoustics standard for general spaces—such as lobbies, sporting facilities, and multipurpose rooms. The proposed standard is being informed by the well-established German DIN 18041 room acoustics standard, with thoughtful adaptations for Japanese building practices and cultural expectations. The presentation sparked lively and friendly discussion, illustrating how international collaboration can help refine tools and standards that benefit practitioners worldwide.
Overall, the session captured the spirit of the once-a-decade ASA–ASJ meeting: technically rigorous, openly collaborative, and genuinely enjoyable.
End-of-Year Warehouse SALE 2025!
Posted by Acoustics First in Absorption, Diffusion, Press Release, Products on December 23, 2025
It’s that time again! Time to do The End-of-Year cleanout of overstock, B-Stock, etc! Help us clean house!
Free Ground Shipping to the lower 48 states included on warehouse sale items – Available until January 31st… or while supplies last!
Aeolian™ Sound Diffusers – B-Stock
These Aeolian™ Diffusers have minor imperfections due to the batch of plastic having small orange specs in it. Barely noticeable, and easily paintable.
Quantity at time of writing – 102
Original Price $175 per unit – Sale price $87.50 per unit!
ArtDiffusor® Model D Sound Diffusers – Overstock
These ArtDiffusor® Model D Diffusers are A-Grade Stock – they are simply overstock items!
Quantity at time of writing – 96
Original Price $175 per unit – Sale price $87.50 per unit!
2’x2’x1″ Tone Tiles – Overstock
These 2’x2’x1″ ToneTiles are A-Grade Stock – they are simply overstock items!
Quantity at time of writing – 60
Original Price $70 per unit – Sale price $35.00 per unit!
2’x2′ Cloudscape Ceiling Tiles – Tile Backed – Customer Return
These Cloudscape Ceiling Tiles with Fog Pattern are a customer return – Listed as B-Stock. They are mounted to a ceiling tile backer for use in a drop ceiling grid.
Quantity at time of writing – 66
Original Price $60 per unit – Sale price $30.00 per unit!
Contact Acoustics First today at 888-765-2900 or reach out to info@acousticsfirst.com to inquire about these deals – but don’t wait… once they are gone, that’s it!
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