However, a commercial-grade system is still the best bet for businesses.
Desktop systems don’t have the output to truly affect a worker’s acoustic environment. Likewise, they lack positive effects on speech privacy associated with sophisticated solutions.
Let’s take a look at the difference from a business productivity perspective.
What You May Not Know About Today’s Enterprise-Class Acoustic Masking
With all the talk about masking sound for higher productivity, it’s crucial to understand how the different setups vary. These four facts should be part of your decision process:
1. Sound Masking Must Be Customized To The Environment
A masking system doesn’t produce a single “wall” of sound across the entire work environment. The placement and configuration of each speaker is carefully optimized for the surroundings.
Different materials have different acoustic properties: Some reduce sound, while others add to sound reflection. The height of ceilings and number of personnel in a space are other key factors.
A professional masking system creates a “sound oasis” appropriate to each environment. All of these work together so as people move from one space to another, the effect stays consistent.
2. Sound Masking Feels Natural When It’s Fully Integrated
When masking is implemented correctly, individual speakers can’t be heard even by people within a few feet of them. Likewise, there’s no sensation of moving from one space to another and hitting a different “cloud” of sound.
If it’s truly planned into the environment, guests don’t know you have sound masking: They simply know your office is quiet and efficient.
3. Sound Masking Systems Are Environmental, Not Point-Based
In the same way, you can’t set up or configure desktop-based systems to simulate real masking.
Rather than sitting on a desk near eye level, many masking speakers are actually placed in the ceiling and walls. They become part of the sound environment. This not only dulls conversation, the main productivity killer, but other noises.
We’ve all been in the situation of trying to get focused on work only to zero in on paper coming out of a printer several feet away. Air conditioning, light fixtures, and more can all make noise.
Strategically placed masking devices ensure that even if you change your floor plan or add new equipment, you are still in a position to reduce the auditory effects of those changes. Low-decibel, continuous noise sources will no longer get on employees’ nerves.
4. Sound Masking Can Be Networked With Other Comfort Systems
Many modern masking systems are networked. You can use them in a complete Internet of Things strategy, controlling noise levels from a central interface at the push of a button. Like your air conditioner and lights, these devices can be turned off when an area is not in use.
You’ll breathe an audible sigh of relief when you see what acoustic masking can do for you. To get started, contact us at Atlantic Communications Team.