Dining patrons who can hear each other stay longer, order more and come back. Making a room acoustically pleasant doesn't have to be expensive: the cheapest fix is the one designed in before the build-out, and for a room that's already open, the right materials on a few walls and ceilings make a difference people notice on the first visit.
Excessive noise is the first or second most common complaint from diners — and it makes many of them less likely to return, without telling you why.
Soft music and the murmur of conversation help a room feel alive. The problem is piercing reflections, machine noise and voices that carry too far.
SoundPrint users measure venues every day and share the results. A quieter room shows up in the app — and on the Quiet List.
Inexpensive ways to cut the noise in a room that's already open.
The least expensive acoustic treatment is the one that's in the plans before the build-out. Bring an acoustic expert in at the drawing stage — it costs a fraction of fixing a finished room. Email us and we'll point you to one.
If less than half your ceiling and less than a fifth to a third of your walls are covered with sound-absorbing material, your room is likely to have a noise problem. Hard floors, bare walls and big windows all reflect sound back at your guests.
Bar stations, ice machines, soda and espresso machines, point-of-sale terminals and kitchen equipment are louder than they seem. Seat guests near them and they raise their voices — then the next table does too. Relocate what you can; treat the walls and ceiling around what you can't.
A vendor can size and shape panels to blend into your interior. Planned well, material and installation stay modest and nobody has to close for a renovation.
For a stubborn room, a consultant can measure it properly and design a fix. Email us for a list of vendors and consultants we can point you to.
Anything soft, and a few things designed for the job.
Acoustic panels carry an NRC rating (Noise Reduction Coefficient); 0.65 to 1.0 is the most absorptive. Use only ASTM E-84 Class A fire-rated materials.
Email info@soundprint.co with the subject "Venue Tips" and we'll point you to acoustic vendors and consultants we trust.
