Architectural Specifications
- System Overview
- Performances and Characteristics
- Sound masking generating system
- Adaptive volume control adjustment in open areas
- Paging and Music Broadcast Systems (Option)
- Target sound masking spectrum
- Validation method
- Standards test methods
- Certifications – ETL Listed 3191772
- Supplier
Design and Installation Guidelines
Find everything you need to know to install and design the perfect sound masking project for your office environment, what ever your office configuration is, with our design and installation guidelines.
SmartSMS-NET Project Manager
Software
With this software, the system administrator can configure all the parameters of the smartSMS-NET sound masking system.
Whitepapers
Confidentiality, With 50% Improvement In Comfort
At NoiseCon 2017 in Grand Rapids, MI, Soft dB presented a scientific paper entitled Adaptive Volume Control for Sound Masking, written by Dr. Andre L’Esperance, et al. The paper demonstrates how the Adaptive Volume Control (AVC) feature, which allows the masking sound level to reactively vary between 42 and 45 dBA depending on ambient background noise, obtains similar levels of confidentiality and speech privacy compared to a sound masking system equipped only with a 45 dBA timer function.
However, the real difference between the AVC feature and the timer function for masking systems is seen in occupant acoustic comfort; an AVC sound masking system provides an unparallelled 50% improvement in occupant acoustic comfort during periods of moderate office activity, when compared to a timer function. Furthermore, if the upper limit of the AVC sound masking system is set to 48 dBA (CNRC-recommended upper limit) instead of 45 dBA, the level of acoustic comfort is maintained, but the confidentiality and speech privacy are improved by 15%.
Direct-Field vs Plenum Speakers: Hype and Reality
- Spatial uniformity of the masking sound is better (more uniform) with a plenum system than a direct field
- In the case of a sound masking system in a plenum space with obstruction, the spatial uniformity is still better than a direct field system
Third Party References
Documents
“The capital and operating costs for buildings account for 8%, while the human resources costs (salaries and benefits) represent 82%. In relative terms, office design choices are inexpensive and the costs of sound investments in design can be recouped quickly in the form of enhanced occupant satisfaction and performance.”
“When asked about their offices, 88% of respondents noted the quality of their work environment was important to job satisfaction and 84% reported that they accomplished their best work at the office. In fact, when asked if they would be willing to work an extra hour per day if they had a better working environment, 49% of respondents said yes. “
Here are examples from recent, measured, independent studies of the impact of appropriate “speech privacy” and related acoustical conditions on office workers:
1. Ability To Focus On Tasks
2. Elimination Of Distractions
3. Reduction Of Stress
4. Error Rates/Accuracy
“The masking signal was proved to be an effective intervention and should be considered a viable method of enhancing the sleep quality of patients in noisy Intensive Care Unit (ICU) environments….”
Sound masking has the most significant effect in promoting ICU patients’ sleep, producing:
Radius of Distraction (in meters)
- Without Sound Masking
- With Sound Masking
“A significant improvement in objective speech privacy occurred after the installation of masking system. The radius of distraction reduced from 13 to 6 meters.”
“Appropriate masking is necessary to reach acceptable speech privacy between two neighbouring workstations.”
“After the change, all types of work were less distracted by noise.”
“The need for further acoustic improvements became negligible because major acoustic problems no longer existed after the installation of masking.”
Effects of sound masking on workers – a case study in a landscaped office – Valtteri Hongisto
Stop Noise from Ruining Your Open Office
“By adding a continuous, low-level ambient sound to an environment (such as white noise, which sounds similar to the sound of airflow), sound masking can help make conversations for listeners that aren’t intended to hear them unintelligible, and therefore much easier to ignore.”
Stop Noise from Ruining your Open Office – Harvard Business Review
“Masking sound is an effective way to lower SII and create good acoustical conditions. Laboratory simulations have found that masking sound improves complex cognitive tasks and reduces perceived stress.”
Workstation Design for Organizational productivity – CNRC
“Electronic masking-sound systems can be designed to provide close-to-ideal noise levels to mask speech sounds and enhance privacy, without being disturbing.”
“The office is more than just a cost center. It can be an investment with clear benefits and a measurable return and is yet another productivity tool to be used intelligently.”
“Carefully designing your workplace to support what your people and teams do is an investment that pays off in both business terms and in positive changes in corporate culture.”
Disproving Widespread Myths about Workplace Design – BOSTI Associates
Technical Support
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1-866-686-0993 Ext. 236 USA & CAN
+1-418-686-0993 Ext. 236 Intl.
Technical Support
Or Call Us Now !
1-866-686-0993 Ext. 236 USA & CAN
+1-418-686-0993 Ext. 236 Intl.