Entertainment Room Acoustic Treatment

The Challenge

This Queensberry Street room began as a storage area, not an entertainment space. Its hard ceiling, untreated walls and limited sound absorption caused voices and audio to continue reflecting long after the original sound was produced. Before treatment, the measured reverberation time was 2.43 seconds. As TURN Group transformed the room into a luxury multipurpose environment, the acoustics needed to match the quality of the new interior. The finished room would support television, music, conversation, entertaining and private functions. Without treatment, dialogue would remain blurred, music would lose definition and guests would need to compete with the room’s echo. The problem was not the television, speakers or people using the space. It was the room acoustics. SoundFix’s guide to reducing echo in existing rooms explains why visual renovation alone does not resolve excessive reverberation. The room required purpose-designed sound absorption across its largest reflective surfaces.

The Solution

SoundFix Acoustics designed a combined wall-and-ceiling acoustic treatment. Black polyester acoustic wall panels were installed behind the television, while acoustic foam ceiling panels were distributed across the ceiling. The black wall treatment absorbed reflections around the main entertainment zone while visually supporting the dark television backdrop. This made the acoustic product part of the interior design rather than a separate technical feature. The ceiling was the room’s largest available reflective surface, so treating it provided broad absorption without occupying usable floor space or covering TURN Group’s feature finishes. The two products performed complementary roles: the ceiling panels controlled sound returning from above, while the polyester wall panels reduced reflections around the television and seating area. This approach reflects SoundFix’s guidance on choosing between ceiling and wall acoustic panels. In rooms with significant reverberation, treating more than one surface can create a more balanced and consistent acoustic result.

The Installation

The acoustic installation was coordinated with TURN Group’s transformation of the former storage room into an elegant entertainment environment. The completed interior included layered lighting, patterned finishes, cabinetry, speakers and multiple ceiling services, so every panel needed to be placed carefully. The foam ceiling panels were installed in an ordered geometric arrangement that followed the proportions of the room. Their light finish integrated with the ceiling, while shadow gaps between panels added depth and architectural rhythm. Openings and panel positions were planned around lighting, ventilation, speakers and other services. Behind the television, black polyester panels created a discreet sound-absorbing feature that suited the entertainment focus of the room. The dark surface minimised visual distraction around the screen while controlling reflections close to the main audio source. Professional acoustic panel installation is about more than attaching products to available surfaces. Coverage, spacing, orientation and placement all influence the final reverberation result. SoundFix coordinated these elements so the treatment supported both the acoustic target and TURN Group’s luxury design intent.

The Outcome

After installation, the room’s RT60 reduced from 2.43 seconds to 0.39 seconds. This represents an 84% reduction in reverberation time. The improvement changed the way the room could be experienced. Television dialogue became clearer because words were no longer masked by prolonged reflections. Music gained greater definition, with less overlap between sounds. Conversations became easier and more comfortable, even when several people were using the space. The room also felt more intimate and finished. Excessive reverberation can make an interior feel cold, hollow or incomplete, regardless of how attractive it looks. Once sound is controlled, the same room can feel calmer, more refined and more appropriate for premium entertainment. This outcome demonstrates the value of integrating acoustic panels in Melbourne into the design and construction process. TURN Group delivered the architectural transformation, while SoundFix ensured that the room’s acoustic performance matched the visual quality of the completed fitout.

RT60 before: 2.43 seconds
RT60 after: 0.39 seconds
Improvement: 84% reverberation reduction
Compliance: No project-specific compliance certification claimed. Performance was verified through before-and-after RT60 testing.

Why Acoustic Treatment Mattered

Multipurpose room acoustics must support several activities rather than one fixed use. Television, music, social gatherings and quiet conversation all rely on controlled reverberation and clear sound. The installed panels provided acoustic treatment, not soundproofing. Acoustic treatment absorbs reflections within a room and improves clarity. Soundproofing is a separate construction method used to reduce sound travelling between rooms or properties. SoundFix explains the distinction in its guide to acoustic treatment versus soundproofing. For this project, the core problem was internal echo. The black polyester wall panels and foam ceiling panels directly addressed that issue, delivering a verified 84% reverberation reduction. The project shows why acoustics should be considered alongside lighting, furniture, finishes and technology during a high-end fitout. Good interior design is not only visual. The way a room sounds influences comfort, atmosphere and how successfully it performs its intended purpose.