Sound masking lowers noise levels by actually adding a slight amount of sound at precise decibels to protect the speech privacy of people in offices while increasing office comfort and reducing noise distractions.
A sound masking system has several vital components that make it work properly as a high-tech solution when privacy is important to your company.
Is sound masking different from white noise?
Yes, because sound masking uses specific technological components that achieve a precise match for the same decibels of human speech that cancels out someone’s ability to hear conversations coming from other rooms.
White noise can be irritating to someone and cause discomfort because the decibels are not precisely tuned.
What are the components of a sound masking system?
This high-tech system utilizes a series of speakers in the ceiling.
Speakers
A grid of multiple speakers delivers noise-canceling sounds at the correct radius throughout a room. Depending on the size of the room, there may be multiple speakers placed evenly across the space, in a grid-like pattern, where people will congregate.
One thing to note is that sound masking technology generally goes in rooms where people can hear conversations coming from other rooms, not in the actual rooms where conversations will take place.
Speakers can be round or square, and they are usually white to blend in with the ceiling tiles overhead.
Controllers
Each room will have a channel controller to feed all of the speakers. Controllers can go in the plenum space above the ceiling panels or in a server room cabinet. Sound masking system designers can connect multiple controllers together for flexibility and scalability. Controllers can be connected through a hard line or a wireless connection.
Volume Control Sensors
The volume and decibel levels of rooms rise and fall with the number of people in the room. As such, the sound masking must compensate. Sensors automatically adjust the sound, and your staff can manually adjust the controls as needed.
Sensors usually go in the ceiling, and they collect sound almost like tiny ear canals that sit in the ceiling or stick out from the ceiling less than an inch. They are also white to match the ceiling.
Sound Masking Software
Every sound masking system needs software to manage the controllers, sensors, and speakers. You should have complete control over your system, and our staff will show you how it works. The best software works on mobile apps as well as laptops and desktops. The software should also let you give access only to necessary staff through administrative credentials and logins.
Sound Masking Technology Installation From American Sound & Electronics
Does your office need sound masking technology to ensure client, customer or patient privacy? Do you want to reduce distractions from conversations at your busy office?
Contact American Sound & Electronics for more information, or call (859) 261-9024 in Cincinnati or (502) 694-3339 in Louisville.
We’ll discuss your needs and options with you for a sound masking system.
