Are expensive Acoustic Panels really worth it?

Considering Acoustic panels for your office space

Whether expensive acoustic panels are worth the investment depends on several factors, including the specific acoustic requirements of your space, aesthetic preferences, and budget constraints. Here are some considerations to help determine if they are worth it for your building:

Acoustic Performance

1. Sound Absorption Quality: Higher-end PET acoustic panels often provide better sound absorption and acoustic performance due to their design and material density. They are especially beneficial in spaces that require precise sound control, such as recording studios, conference rooms, and home theatres​ Ideal products to use would be either Impact Acoustic or Troldtekt.
   

2. Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC): Expensive panels typically have a higher NRC, indicating better efficiency in absorbing sound. This can make a significant difference in environments where sound clarity and noise reduction are critical. As discussed in our earlier blog, Noise Reduction Coefficient (or NRC) is the most common measure of product efficacy and is expressed on a scale of 0 – 1 where 0 indicates perfect reflection and 1 indicates perfect absorption. ​

Aesthetic and Design

1. Customization and Design: Premium panels offer more customization options, including a wide range of colours, textures, and shapes. Stretched fabric ceilings and walls are a great example of this. This can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your space and align with specific interior design themes​. Not only do acoustic panels have a performance characteristic but can also look really good.

2. Integration and Appearance: Higher-end panels often have a more polished and professional look, which can be important in corporate or high-traffic areas where visual appeal matters as much as acoustic performance​. Some panels are even designed by award winning designers (Abstracta)

Durability and Sustainability

1. Material Quality: Expensive panels are generally made from higher-quality, durable materials that can withstand wear and tear over time. This can result in lower long-term costs due to less frequent replacements​.

2. Sustainability: Many high-end PET panels are made from recycled materials, bottle flake and even recycled ocean plastic  and are environmentally friendly. If sustainability is a priority, investing in these options can be beneficial​ (Autex)

Practical Examples

• Recording Studios: For professional recording studios, investing in high-quality PET acoustic panels is often essential to ensure the best sound quality and to meet industry standards​. See link to our blog here on acoustics in podcasting studios.

• Offices and Conference Rooms: In corporate settings, the improved aesthetics and acoustic performance of expensive panels can enhance the work environment and contribute to better communication and productivity​. Everybody has expereiced how difficult it can be to have a phone conversation in a noisy office.

• Residential Use: For home environments, such as home theatres or personal studios, the decision to invest in more expensive PET acoustic panels depends on how critical acoustic performance is for you. If you are an audiophile or frequently use the space for media consumption, the superior sound qualit y and aesthetic appeal might justify the higher cost.

If you’re looking to install acoustic panels in your building, please contact Torann Acoustics here.