Acoustic Treatments - Harmony Panels
The Acoustic Innovations Harmony series are acoustically absorptive or reflective hard surfaced paneling designed to provide a range of basic to enhanced levels of performance with a theater or multi-purpose room. They can hang from walls or ceilings, and cover entire walls or partial areas. Harmony panels incorporate a chemically hardened edge so no frame is required.
What sizes and finishes does Harmony come in?
Harmony panels are available in standard or custom sizes and have simple fabric wrapped edges that come in eight different finishes at no additional charge.
  • Available Depth: 1" and 2" (2" only available absorptive)
  • Maximum Dimensions:
  • Standard 48" x 96" per panel
  • Custom sizes are virtually unlimited
How do I select what fabric to use?
Your local Acoustic Innovations Dealer will have a fabric binder that shows our acoustically transparent fabrics, sometimes called grill fabrics. If a specific pattern, color or material is in mind our in house design team can find the perfect solution for you. To find a local dealer near you call our offices or click here to be contacted. You or your designer may also provide material. Please refer to our Customer Own Material data sheet
Why are both absorptive and reflective panels offered?
Absorptive panels
Minimize reflected sound in the room. This results in clearer dialogue and tonal balance. Have you ever been in a theater and were unable to clearly hear the character"s voice or surround effects? Learn why this happens.
Reflective panels
Are intended for sound waves to impact and reflect the sound rather than absorb the sound back into the room. Most people only hear about "absorption" requirements for a home theater, but a fully treated room where acoustics are completely controlled will contain both elements to allow for a more immersive movie watching experience. Get the back story.
Why would I use 2" deep absorptive panels instead of 1"?
Two-inch thick panels absorb a wider frequency of sound then one inch thick panels. One inch panels provide acceptable absorption for the average range of sounds, while two inch panels extend to lower frequencies. Two-inch panels do not stop bass from leaving the room. WHY NOT?
How do I know where to place my panels within a room and what kind to use?
With the diversity of speaker systems available today matched with different shapes, sizes and surfaces of a proposed space it is challenging to offer specifications without first examining the elements as a whole. Acoustic Innovations can provide helpful consultation of Harmony panel placement, assuming the room dimensions, seating area, speaker types and placement are documented for review. There are some basic theories for applying absorptive and reflective panels correctly read more here: Learn More About Reflective / Absorptive Panels.
Where can I purchase Harmony panels?
Learn how to purchase Harmony panels here.
How long do Harmony panels take to produce?
Typical production is 2-3 weeks once the order is received, depending upon the material selection and current production schedule. Rush production and delivery is available for an additional cost. Please contact us for additional information and current lead-time.
Can I get Harmony panels with decorative frames around them?
Harmony panels have fabric wrapped edges, to order with frames look at Acoustic Innovations Element Panels.
More about Reflective Panels
Strategically placed reflective panels can enhance the listening area known as the surround field, where multiple speakers are placed as part of a multi- channel system often known as Surround or 5.1 or 7.1. Surround speakers are intended to introduce different sounds within the movie track then speakers in the front of the theater.
When a movie is mixed in a sound studio, the engineers "mix" special effects and atmospheric sound onto additional tracks in sequence with the action. These sounds are sent to the surround speakers through the audio receiver or processor. In some cases, engineers will utilize the placement of the speakers to create depth by introducing sound in a specific order such as front to back if a car is coming past you, or side to side if the train is coming from left to right of the screen. In other instances, the sound is distributed equally among all the speakers and released at the same time, such as the sound of rain. These effects are designed place you in the movie and enhance the suspension of disbelief.
Reflective panels are designed to add first and secondary reflections into the surround field, often replicating or multiplying a sound effect to increase the intensity. Unlike sound waves coming out of the front speakers, reflection is a welcomed effect in this location, dependent upon speaker and seating positions.
More about Absorptive Panels
Sound is a wave, and just like a pebble in a pond produces concentric waves on the surface of the pond, the speaker (also known as the driver) produces spherical pressure waves. Some of these are direct sound waves. And like the pebble in the pond, some waves also radiate in other directions. This sound reflects off the room's hard surface boundaries, which create early and late reflected waves. The difference in timing and strength of these two paths, the direct and reflected sound waves, create what is called reverberation. The amount of reflected surfaces and size of the room all have an effect on the reverberation time.
Placing acoustically absorptive panels at the first reflection points allows significantly more sound absorption than an untreated surface can provide. By reducing the delay and strength of the reflected sounds we are able to lower the reverberation time, allowing your ear to experience a crisper and clearer perception of the movie track, in particular the main dialogue.
Just like excess reflection, excess absorption in a theater will result in poor sound. Anechoic chambers- where loudspeakers are tested- are designed to have complete absorption for test purposes. This is often called an acoustically DEAD room. For this reason, reflective panels exist.