Late design and early construction take a big toll on AV design consultation and acoustic requirements, where audio visual is focusing on the impact of the volume and acoustics consultants in emphasize on controlling through acoustic testing and the impact of higher volume. Aligning both teams in an early collaboration leads to efficiency and better user experience. Bringing both disciplines together from the get-go ensures fine designs, optimized performance, and spaces that deliver clarity and comfort.
Key Reasons Why Coordination Matters:
Coordination of Acoustics and AV from the early design phases ensures that systems such as speakers, subwoofers microphones, and projectors work at their best within space with effective noise mitigation strategy. Refer below key points why coordination matters:
- The design intended noise levels within the subject space to be clearly communicated by the Acoustic team in order to develop the adequate acoustic design for noise containment within the subject space and the key acoustic elements such as wall/floor/ceiling/ doors acoustic measures are coordinated during the early design stages with the architect team.
- Early involvement of consultants helps avoid costly retrofits by addressing noise control measures, layouts, and system evaluations in advance.
- Strong communication between AV, Acoustics, Architecture, and engineering teams prevent design conflicts and ensures project remain within the budget.
- When AV and acoustics are well aligned, users enjoy clear, reliable sound that enhances entertainment, presentations, and collaboration without issues like echo or feedback.
- This integrated approach saves both time and money by reducing delays, avoiding rework, and streamlining installation and long-term support through consistent collaboration among all stakeholders.
Figure below illustrates the importance of coordination between Acoustic and AV in early design phase of the project:
Example/ Illustration:
Let’s take an example to reiterate the importance of coordination between Acoustics and AV:
We are designing an entertainment space as per the details below.
| Space Type | Night Club on Level 1 including outdoor seating/ dining | |
| Intended Music Levels | 110-115 dB(A) | |
| Adjancies (Above and Below) | Hotel Guestrooms above | Hotel Entrance Lobby Below |
| Adjancies (Left and Right) | Retail | F&B Space |
Let’s try to understand the criticality of the subject space by using a simplified diagram below.
As you can see the Nightclub is surrounded by the noise sensitive space all around. Therefore, the containment of noise within the space is at utmost importance. If the AV team has coordinated with Acoustic team, than acoustic team can propose the following few noise mitigation solutions for effective noise containment
- Base built noise testing: The acoustic consultant undertakes the acoustic testing of base built (in case the subject space is shell and core space), to understand the shell & core sound insulation performance of the subject space.
- Wall Sound Insulation Performance: A decoupled resilient wall will be required, for adequate wall sound insulation performance.
- Floor Sound Insulation Performance: A resilient floor or floating floor will be required, for adequate sound insulation performance.
- Ceiling Sound Insulation Performance: A resilient ceiling will be required, for adequate sound insulation performance.
- Acoustic Absorptive finishes: Acoustic absorptive finishes in the form of acoustic ceiling and wall absorptive panel, to maintain adequate sound quality and reverberation control within the space.
- Acoustic consultants will also review speaker/ subwoofer technical datasheets and speaker/ subwoofer arrangements within the subject space and advise on improvements.
- Acoustic consultants will also advise on adequate zoning for AV design and layouts.
Now Imagine: Due to lack of coordination during the early design stages and everyone only figures it out way later, during the final design phase or, worse, during construction, it’s basically the project equivalent of realizing you forgot the main ingredient after the cake’s already in the oven. Total chaos, total nightmare, and absolutely nobody goes home happy.
When AV and Acoustics don’t talk, it’s like watching a movie with the sound two seconds late awkward for everyone! Lucky for you, at DSP Consultants we’ve got both teams living under one roof, chatting daily (sometimes louder than the speakers) to make sure every project hits the right note and looks sharp.
