Acoustics

Cinema Acoustics: A Comprehensive Guide

July 12, 2023

An outing to the movies is all about enjoying the right atmosphere, and sound is paramount to that. Discover acoustic design tips and solutions for each and every area across cinema facilities.

acoustic materials used in cinema theatres

An immersive movie-watching experience should be optimised for both the visual and the auditory. When one of the two is sub-optimal, the entire experience can quickly be spoiled.

So it only makes senses that an acoustic design strategy at cinema centres is imperative – and not just inside the screening halls.

Like all experiential businesses, each touchpoint across the visitor journey acts a lead-up to the cinema experience and later completes it. Besides the screening auditoriums, some areas in theatre centres to optimise for acoustic performance are the box office areas, concession stands, corridors, and toilets. Because of the nature of programming at movie complexes, these areas experience sudden influxes of traffic flows and noise.

Tips for excellent acoustic comfort in cinema auditoriums and screening rooms:

  1. Install high-quality ceiling solutions to absorb sound waves and prevent them from reverberating.
  2. Install wall-to-wall solutions to tackle sound leakage from adjacent spaces like the exterior and corridors.
  3. Ensure that the solutions used have matt surfaces to avoid light reflection.
  4. Opt for heavy fabrics across the seating and theatre curtains for additional absorption.
  5. Use soft materials across the flooring to minimise reverberations caused by hard surfaces.

Featured products: Rockfon Color-all®  

Cineworld, UK, Gloucester, Main Contractor - Brittania Construction, Ceiling Contractor - D & G Ceilings, Wayne Hutchinson, Rockfon Color-all, Charcoal

Tips for excellent acoustic performance at the entrance and box office:

  1. Install high-quality ceiling and wall acoustic solutions to absorb sound waves and prevent them from reverberating.
  2. Include sound barriers in the floor plan to absorb noise.
  3. Use soft materials across the flooring to minimise reverberations caused by hard surfaces.
  4. Ensure that the solutions used can withstand frequent cleaning with harsh disinfectants.

Featured products: Rockfon® Artic™  

Cinemes Centre Splau, Coloral Th 40 Black A-edge, Baffles Deco 40, leisure movie theatre

Tips for excellent acoustic performance across concession stands and lounge areas:

  1. Install high-quality ceiling and wall acoustic solutions to absorb sound waves and prevent them from reverberating.
  2. Ensure that the solutions used can withstand frequent cleaning with harsh disinfectants.
  3. In food preparation areas, ensure that the solutions used meet are resistant to mould and bacteria.
  4. In lounges, use soft materials across the flooring to minimise reverberations caused by hard surfaces.

Featured products: Rockfon Blanka®  

NL, Zeist, Hotel Theater Figi, Gerben van der Molen, Stars Design, Leisure, Auditorium, Concert Hall, Rockfon Blanka, A-edge, 600x600, white, T24 Black - new 3D application

Tips for excellent acoustic performance in movie theatre corridors:

  1. Install acoustic ceilings and wall panels to help achieve Rw ≥ 74 decibel airborne sound insulation between the corridors and auditoriums.
  2. Install sound barriers separating the hallways from other noisy areas, like the lounges and box office.
  3. Use soft materials across the flooring to minimise reverberations caused by hard surfaces.

Featured products: Rockfon Color-all®  

Cineworld, UK, Gloucester, Main Contractor - Brittania Construction, Ceiling Contractor - D & G Ceilings, Wayne Hutchinson, Rockfon Color-all, Charcoal

Tips for excellent acoustic performance and hygiene in commercial bathrooms:

  1. Install high-quality ceiling solutions to absorb sound waves and prevent them from reverberating.
  2. Ensure that the solutions used meet are resistant to mould and bacteria.
  3. Ensure that the solutions used can withstand frequent cleaning with harsh disinfectants.
  4. Ensure that the solutions used are corrosion-resistant to minimise any rusting.

Featured products: Rockfon® Koral™

Toilet in Pontypridd Riverside Scheme in Wales United Kingdom, Rockfon Koral E-edge 600x600, Chicago Metallic T15 2790 ECR grid