Call centers and office cores can often be very noisy as multiple people may be holding conversations with clients over the phones while staff are talking in the background. When this happens, people tend to talk louder only further exasperating the problem. A first solution is to provide each staff member with an acoustically treated cubicle. Containing the sound before it expands into the common area is very effective. Unfortunately, the cost of this type of cubicle furnishing is very high and for some, the loss of a nice wide open space is not always appealing. The next best solution is to apply acoustic treatment on the walls.

A speaking human voice will generally range from 300Hz to 2500Hz, with the median falling in between 500Hz to 1500Hz range. This is also where the ear is most sensitive as often cited in the Fletcher-Munson curves. It therefore makes sense that for voice, we try to absorb the energy in this spectrum. For practical purposes, 2" thick acoustical panels tend to be the most common while thinner 1" panels tend to be preferred for higher traffic areas. The thicker the panel, the lower the frequency it will absorb.

Mounting Broadway panels on standard sheetrock walls is easy using Primacoustic impaling clips. These are easily screwed in place and the Broadway panels simply drop down for a secure hold. Best of all, the panels are easy to remove for remodeling or relocating should this ever be needed.

The best way to mount the panels is by distributing them above desk height throughout the facility. Acoustic panel performance follows a bell curve whereby the more panels you put up, the more energy you will absorb. As a general rule of thumb, covering between 15% and 25% of the total surface area is sufficient to have an effect. You can always add more if the noise levels warrant it.