Common Acoustical Issues that Impact Restaurants

If your restaurant desires to provide an excellent patron experience the acoustics of your dining area should be considered.

Many restaurants are noisy. Depending on your niche demographic you may think that is appropriate. However most establishments have not considered the advantages of making your eating environment acoustically inviting.

Patrons want to be able hear their companions, not the people at the next table. The louder your room, the louder people speak, the harder it is for everyone to hear including serving staff trying to take orders.

By addressing the acoustical noise level in your dining space you provide a calmer more relaxing experience. This is especially true for formal seating restaurants whose clientele have a higher dining expectation. Unfortunately otherwise highly regarded establishments can be some of the worst for loud ambient environments.

Fundamentals

The popular view of acoustical treatment involves soft products that absorb sound. While we apply this concept as well, we augment it with diffusion.

Diffusion not only absorbs sound waves but also scatters them. This redirects problem reflections and minimizes them, while at the same time leaving a natural sound in the space. This occurs at all frequencies, especially in the bass fundamental frequency range which is harder to control and reduce or attenuate.

There are numerous forms of diffusion available and most are more costly than absorption. CS Acoustics uses a diffusion system that incorporates multiple units in tandem with each other and the surrounding surface. As a result we are able to use a much smaller surface area footprint than absorption panels and yield a greater amount of reduction at a competitive price.

Absorption does not reduce low frequencies by a significant enough amount. If problematic fundamental frequencies are addressed correctly, mid and high harmonics are balanced. This is removing reflections across the full frequency spectrum.

Impact

As a result of noise levels being reduced guests will be able to hear each other without strain. Communication on all levels improves. Even serving staff will be more accurate with orders and will be less fatigued from not having to speak loudly an strain to hear patrons.

The entire area will be calmer, relaxing and inviting which leads to repeat customers! 

Interested in your restaurant having a more appealing acoustical ambiance? We would enjoy helping you.

Photo courtesy of JDB-soundphoto