The impact of room acoustics on sound quality

Imagine you bought a top-of-the-line sports car, but you drive it on dirt roads.

No matter how much horsepower the engine has, the experience will not be optimal.

In the world of Hi-Fi, your audio system is the car, and your room is the "road" that the sound travels on. If that road is not good, even the best components will not reach their full potential.

The room is not just a passive environment, but an active component in the audio chain. The sound we hear is actually a combination of the direct sound from the speakers and countless reflections from the walls, floor and ceiling. These reflections can enrich the sound, but more often they blur and distort it.

Understand the fundamentals: The role of the source, amp, and speakers.

Key challenges of room acoustics

Before we can solve a problem, we need to understand it.

The first and most common challenge is first-reflections . These are sound waves that bounce off a speaker only once – off the side walls, floor or ceiling – before reaching our ears. Because they arrive with a slight delay after the direct sound, our brains blur them into a single sound. The result is a fuzzy sound image and the feeling that the instruments are not clearly placed in space.

Another challenge, most pronounced at low frequencies, is standing waves . When a bass wave bounces between two parallel walls, a phenomenon can occur at certain frequencies where the energy adds up. In practice, this means that the bass is extremely strong and punchy at some points in the room, while it is almost nonexistent at others.

Finally, there is reverberation . In rooms with hard, bare surfaces such as glass, tiles and bare walls, the reverberation time can be very long. A too "lively" room makes the sound chaotic, unclear and in the long run very tiring to listen to, as details are lost in the multitude of reflections.

Practical tips for better acoustics

The good news is that with a few simple steps, you can dramatically improve the acoustics of your space.

You can start with solutions that cost nothing.

The basis is the correct placement of the speakers in the form of a stereo triangle, where the speakers and your listening position form the same sides. Even small movements of the speakers away from the walls can have a significant impact on the bass response. The thoughtful use of existing furniture also has a major effect . Bookshelves full of books are an excellent natural diffuser that breaks up sound waves. Thick carpets on the floor, heavy curtains in front of the windows and upholstered furniture act as effective absorbers that soak up excess sound energy.

When the basics are no longer enough, dedicated acoustic solutions are needed . Absorbers are panels that are placed at the points of first reflections (on the side walls between you and the speakers) to absorb disturbing reflections and sharpen the sound image. Diffusers , which are often placed on the wall behind the listener, do not absorb sound, but disperse it, thus maintaining the sense of liveliness of the space. The most effective way to combat standing waves is with bass traps , larger absorbers that are usually placed in the corners of the room, where low frequencies tend to accumulate.

1. Thick carpets on the floor are the most effective tool for absorbing excess echo. 2. Heavy curtains and upholstered furniture act as absorbers and prevent the sound from becoming harsh. 3. Bookshelves and paintings on the walls act as diffusers, scattering disturbing reflections. 4. A low coffee table between you and the speakers prevents strong first reflections from the floor. (Source: thegurustore.com)

Solutions for your space

The theory is useful, but how does it translate into practice? Fortunately, some manufacturers have developed specific solutions that are designed to solve acoustic challenges.

• When walls are a problem:

Speakers for placement near the wall

In most living spaces, ideal speaker placement (a meter or more from the walls) is simply impossible.

For such cases, Swedish speakers Guru Audio are a brilliant solution. Their entire philosophy is based on placing them right next to the wall, which they use to their advantage to achieve full and deep bass. Models such as the compact Guru 8 or the studio monitor Guru Q10 are ideal for smaller rooms or spaces with limitations.

The unique design of the Guru speakers allows floor and wall sound to blend harmoniously with direct sound, creating full and accurate bass even when placed close to a wall. (Source: thegurustore.com)

How to choose speakers?

When the space is small and echoey:

In smaller rooms or spaces with lots of glass, control is key. Smaller bookshelf speakers, such as the JBL Stage2 240B , PSB Imagine B50 , or JBL L52 Classic , are often a better choice than large floorstanding speakers because they are less likely to overwhelm the room with bass. Their sound is easier to control and achieve a precise soundstage.

Digital room correction

The most advanced and effective way to combat poor acoustics is digital room correction. Technology like Dirac Live uses a microphone to precisely measure the acoustic problems in your room and create a digital filter to correct them. It's like having a professional acoustician built into your amplifier. You can find this outstanding technology in selected NAD devices , such as the NAD C 658 preamplifier, the NAD M10 all-in-one system , the T 778 AV receiver or the Masters M33 premium amplifier . The popular C 3050 can also get it with the optional MDC2 BluOS-D module .

Acoustics is a journey, not a destination

Even small changes in the placement of furniture and room furnishings can bring a surprising improvement in the sound of your system.

Acoustic treatment is a process that can be done gradually – start with proper layout and carpeting, and then add dedicated elements as needed.

If you're not sure where to start, or if you want to take your system to the next level, we're here to help with advice and expert advice . Together, we can make sure your space works for your sound, not against it.