Acoustic Improvement: Soundproofing and Sound Absorption. Which do you need?

Soundproofing (Sound Blocking) Sound Absorption (Acoustic Enhancement)
If the objective is to stop sound from entering or leaving a space, then you will most likely need sound blocking or soundproofing.


For example; your neighbor plays loud music at all hours of the day and night. The sound travels from their space into yours.   Read More
 If the objective is to enhance the properties of sound by improving speech clarity and sound quality, then the answer is sound absorption or acoustic enhancement.

For example, your staff or students have difficulty clearly hearing in the conference room or auditorium during presentations.   Read More
Featured Soundproofing Products Featured Sound Absorption Products
isoTRAX - Complete Soundproofing System for Walls and Ceilings Ultra Barrier Plus
isoTRAX™
Complete soundproofing system for walls and ceilings. Blocks and isolates sound, reduces noise from traveling through building materials. New or existing construction. Details on isoTRAX™...		 QUIET BARRIER® Specialty Composite
An excellent choice for use in engine, generator, compressor, equipment and H.V.A.C. rooms and enclosures. The 4-layer construction offers superior vibration decoupling, noise absorption, sound blocking performance with a reinforced reflective and cleanable surface. Details on Ultra Barrier Plus™...
Home Theater Acoustic Panels Soft Sound Studio Foam Panels and Kits
SOFT SOUND® Acoustic Panels
Great for reducing in-room noise levels! Excellent finished appearance in a Class "A" fire rated building material! Tackable surface available! Details on SOFT SOUND® Acoustic Panels...		 SOFT SOUND® Studio Foam
Designed to improve sound quality and speech clarity by reducing echo. Excellent acoustic performance combined with a variety of architectural textures, sizes and colors. Details on SOFT SOUND® Studio Foam...
Soundproofing application categories:


View More Soundproofing Products 		Sound Absorption application categories:
View More Sound Absorption Products
  Soundproofing cont.   Sound Absorption cont.
Another scenario; you live close to a highway or railway. The noise of the traffic keeps you awake. This is a job for sound blocking materials.

If you want to prevent the sounds from your media or theatre room from disturbing others in your home or office, sound blocking materials will accomplish the task.

Maybe an operational function of your business creates excessive noise that needs to be contained. This requires sound blocking materials.

In general, if the source of the sound is generated in another room, space or from the outside and is transferring through a wall, ceiling or floor, into your space, then you need sound blocking or soundproofing products.
Or, maybe your home recording studio requires materials to enhance the quality of recorded music.

If your busy restaurant is noisy; with the clatter of dishes, people talking and heels clicking on hard flooring surfaces; this is a job for sound absorption.

At home or in the office, high ceilings and large open spaces can create problems. Sound bounces around, creating annoying echoes and making it difficult to carry on normal conversations. Another ideal scenario for sound absorption materials.

To summarize, if the source of the sound of noise is generated within the same environment that requires improved sound control, then you will need sound absorption products.