What is a sound masking system?
Speakers are mounted in the space above the ceiling, aimed upward. The sound from the speakers passes through the ceiling tile to the listener’s ears. Audio equalizers are used to shape the sound to the specific acoustical signature of each facility. The system can be automatically controlled to provide the correct level of privacy dependant on the time of day and day of the week. A typical sound masking system will consist of one or more of the following: • Sound Generator (pink/white/super-white) • 1/3 octave band Equalizers (per ASTM standards) • Mixer/Equalizer for paging or music signals • Zone Amplifiers to control volume and signals delivered to a specific area • Programmable sound level controls.
The simplest soundmasking system consists of a speaker and a sound generator. More complex systems alter the numbers and operation of each of them. A soundmasking system is operated by a central control panel. Soundmask systems come in a range of sizes and modes of operation to suit any space – from residential apartments, where surrounding noise intrudes, to open-plan offices where internal noises and conversations offer distractions and limit privacy, and to hospitals where a quieter space improves quality of life for patients.
