Vicoustic outfitted Sweetwater’s Fermata conference room with a bespoke array of their innovative acoustic solutions. These exceptional products — comprising absorption panels, bass traps, and diffusers — dramatically transformed the space and eliminated unwanted reflections, reverberations, room modes, standing waves, and flutter echoes. Additionally, the visually striking design of these acoustic panels gave the room a sleek and inviting aesthetic. Overall, Vicoustic’s products significantly enhanced the acoustics of the Fermata, affording an elevated experience for future meetings, product demonstrations, and trainings.
Vicoustic’s Edge in Acoustic Performance
Since its founding in 2007 in Portugal, Vicoustic has become a leader in acoustic technology, blending well-engineered products with stylish designs to deliver uncompromising results. Their acoustic solutions cater to a wide variety of spaces from home theaters and listening rooms to professional recording and broadcast studios. Vicoustic’s expertise in understanding the unique sound dynamics of any room or venue gives them a significant edge that enables them to develop innovative solutions that meet the high standards of their customers. Above all, Vicoustic continuously strives to create products that are not only functional and adaptable but also sustainable and environmentally conscious — values that Sweetwater wholeheartedly supports.
Vicoustic’s Tailored Acoustic Treatment
Before installing a single acoustic panel in the Fermata, Vicoustic conducted their Premium Acoustic Study in the space. This comprehensive treatment plan, also available to Sweetwater customers, addressed everything from the room’s architectural structure and inherent acoustic issues to our preferred design aesthetic. The customized plan included detailed visual renderings of the room and precise calculations to determine which Vicoustic acoustic treatment products would best serve our needs. Since we use the Fermata conference room every week for product demos and other critical-listening applications, we were well aware of its acoustic deficiencies. Therefore, we were thoroughly impressed by the accuracy of Vicoustic’s recommendations.
Controlling Reflections & Reverberations
Vicoustic’s top priority was to get the Fermata’s reflections and excess reverberations under control. To achieve this, they installed Cinema Round Premium absorption panels throughout the room. These versatile panels are engineered for broadband performance across medium-low frequencies and, to a lesser extent, high frequencies. This ensures well-controlled acoustics without any hint of slap or echo.
Next, Vicoustic bolstered the Cinema Round Premium panels with Flexi Wave Ultra panels. These hybrid-designed products simultaneously perform acoustic absorption and diffusion. Their purpose is to control the room’s medium-low frequencies while reflecting the higher frequencies to maintain a sense of liveliness and avoid overly deadened acoustics.
Last, Vicoustic installed Wavewood Ultra Lite panels on the walls. Like the Flexi Wave Ultra panels, the Wavewood Ultra Lite panels feature a hybrid design, absorbing medium-range frequencies and reflecting higher frequencies to create sonic balance.
Transforming the Fermata’s Low End
After Vicoustic tamed the Fermata’s reflections and medium-low frequencies, their next priority was to control the room’s low frequencies. To achieve this, they installed Super Bass Extreme Ultra panels in the room’s corners. Designed to capture frequencies between 60Hz and 125Hz, these expertly crafted bass traps feature a wooden front panel that absorbs mid-high frequencies, effectively controlling corner reflections without deadening the room’s sound. Additionally, each Super Bass Extreme Ultra panel houses an internal membrane that transforms high-pressure fluctuations into air motion by vibrating over a 75Hz to 100Hz frequency range, causing the air to pass through a high-density absorptive layer of foam. Thanks to the Super Bass Extreme Ultra panels, the Fermata now delivers ultra-clean low end without any hint of muddiness, boominess, or unevenness.
Optimizing High-frequency Acoustics
While medium-low and bass issues are best resolved by absorbing excess energy, high frequencies are more effectively managed by scattering them, as absorbing them would create a dead listening environment. To address the Fermata’s high-frequency challenges, Vicoustic installed a Multifuser Wood diffuser panel on the room’s rear wall. This visually striking, two-dimensional diffusion panel efficiently disperses upper frequencies, balancing the room’s high-frequency response, disrupting any remaining standing waves and flutter echoes, and adding a beautiful sense of acoustic space to the room.
The Multifuser Wood panel was then sonically reinforced by installing a complement of Multifuser DC3 panels on the Fermata’s ceiling. The Multifuser DC3’s multi-reflectional structure enhances the room’s acoustics by providing mid- to high-range diffusion while also demonstrating midrange absorption and sound-scattering capabilities. This combination really adds clarity and balance to the room’s sound profile.
Experience the Thrill of Superior Acoustics
Here at Sweetwater, we’re extremely pleased with the Fermata’s sonic makeover. Vicoustic transformed the space from a standard sonically compromised conference room to a welcoming acoustic environment that we’re truly excited to utilize. It’s a sure bet that our future product demonstrations, trainings, and other events will be absolute nonstop thrill rides. If you’re interested in elevating the acoustics of your home theater, commercial space, or recording studio, then give your Sweetwater Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700, and we’ll set you up with a Vicoustic acoustic study!
