Hi-Fi Rooms - VicTotem

Acoustic Treatment Guidelines

White Paper // 2017V1


// About Us //
Vicoustic is dedicated to provide great acoustics,
enhancing rooms for great sound. But what sets the
companys efforts apart from the competition is also
the design. Because each and every environment,
private as well as public places should be
comfortable for the people with great acoustics and
a pleasing design. This is why Vicoustic is unique in
its commitment to the research and development
of products and services in the acoustic field and
at the same time providing acoustical solution with
a unique and comforting look. Vicoustic is simply
more than a manufacturer of acoustic treatment
and insulation products. With its own Research
Laboratory and specialized team of designers and
Music & Broadcast Hi-Fi & Home Cinema
// R&D Centre - Research and Development //
The Vicoustic Research Centre was designed
for technological development that includes
training and skill enhancement in specific areas,
including Acoustic Product Engineering and
Surveillance Technology. Vicoustic has dedicated
considerable investigation in Building integration,
on an international scale, and has been extremely
successful in producing high performance
acoustic products that comply with demanding
fire ratings, safety and environmental regulations,
while maintaining competitive cost levels. As a
result, Vicoustic products are fully optimized. The
R&D Centre is divided into two distinct areas:
1) A Multifunctional Room with magnetic walls that
allows us to mount and dismount any combination
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of products, to study performance, quality, design
and aesthetics, instantaneously. This concept is
already creating a ripple effect and is being adapted
in demo rooms and testing facilities around the
globe.
2) Lab Test Facility is an innovative chamber with
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exclusive features that continues to be unique in
the world. The objective was to build an adaptive
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01
engineers, Vicoustic also provides support and
advice to maximize customer satisfaction in the use
of its products. Vicoustic covers acoustic markets,
ranging from the acoustic insulation of buildings
and industrial machinery, to hi-fi, home cinema,
music and broadcast studios.
Vicoustic is constantly evolving and has world-
wide presence, from Portugal to Sweden (Vicoustic
Nordic Countries) and the United States, included
in its more than 70 distributors worldwide.
Customers include BBC, SIS, NATO, Ralph Lauren,
Microsoft, Facebook, Sony, Macklemore, Capitol
Records and Depeche Mode, among others.
Building & Construction
volume chamber, allowing us to perform acoustic
tests in various sized rooms. Thanks to a 4-ton
mechanical wall that travels on a set of rails, we can
define the exact measurements of the chamber,
and adjust the length of sound waves, produced
inside. The wall has a custom-made insulation
system that is remotely controlled by a hydraulic
system, completely blocking sound transmission,
inside and out. It includes a cutting-edge laboratory
infrastructure that converts into three hybrid states:
Low Frequency Resonation Chamber, Reverberation
Chamber, and an Anechoic Chamber. Inside the
hybrid test lab, we have installed four subwoofers
and one B&K Omnidirectional loudspeaker that
will generate specific sound waves named Plane
Waves. By positioning the mechanical wall, it is
possible to study any product sample at precise
frequencies. The sound behavior is captured
using B&K microphones, insuring reliable data to
continue our analyses. The technology and rigorous
in-house testing are the foundation of each and
every product, making Vicoustic a distinguished
brand and leader in its sector.
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Copyright 2017 by Vicoustic. No parts of this document might be copied and/or published without the written consent of Vicoustic.
 Acoustic Treatment Guidelines 03

// Problem //
The Audio market is launching new powerful sound reproduction and signal processing tools,
some of them already including acoustic correction features.

Nevertheless, even considering the most efficient audio system, if rooms acoustics is not properly
addressed, it is likely that the listener will not be able to totally enjoy and take advantage of its full
power. Ultimately, this will raise doubts regarding the investment made.

In addition, sometimes installing acoustic panels permanently to walls and ceilings to treat
rooms acoustics is not an option.

Simply placing loudspeakers in any

convenient location is not enough to
get the full enjoyment of your audio system
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// Solution //
In order to achieve proper acoustic conditions within your Hi-Fi room and maximize the enjoyment
of your audio system without installing permanently acoustic panels to rooms walls and ceiling,
we present Three acoustic treatment solutions are proposed in this white paper: Economic,
Efficient and Professional.

These solutions are for standard Hi-Fi rooms (Rectangular Rooms between 10 m2 to 20 m2
and height between 2,4 and 3 m) and can be applied in different phases, i.e. you can start
to implement the Economic solution, and then invest to achieve the Efficient and finally the
Professional solution.

The three solutions are based on VicTotem Product Vicoustics free standing and portable

Economic Efficient Profissional

Reverberation Time

First Reflections

Back Wall -

Low Frequencies -

Comparison of RT Predictions
2.00

1.60

1.20

0.80
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0.40
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0.00
125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 Hz

Recommended RT Upper Limit Recommended RT Lower Limit RT Untreated

RT Economic Solution RT Professional Solution

Copyright 2017 by Vicoustic. No parts of this document might be copied and/or published without the written consent of Vicoustic.
 Acoustic Treatment Guidelines 05

// Basic Acoustic Treatment Steps //

Basic Steps to achieve proper conditions within your Hi-Fi room will include Optimizing its
Reverberation Time (RT), Controlling Early Reflections and Controlling Sound Field
Anomalies.

Reverberation Time Optimization (RT)

A Hi-Fi Room should not be very live neither too dead.
Optimum RT for Hi-Fi rooms within 0,3 s to 0,6 s
RT steady and continuous in the frequency range from 250 Hz to 4 kHz.
RT Optimization can use both VicTotem sound absorption and diffusing faces.

First Reflections Control

One should be able to feel the ambiance and reverb contained in the recordings.
First reflections should be controlled in order to avoid masking those features.
Comb-filtering effects are likely to be avoided and sound quality and clarity
improved.
May be controlled by both VicTotem sound absorption and diffusing faces.

Room Modes Control

In small rooms such as Hi-Fi rooms, room modes are one of the major sound field
anomalies that are likely to occur.
These modes are likely to cause audible effects within the Hi-Fi room, and
therefore affecting the listeners correct perception of sound at low frequencies.
Room modes may be controlled by placing VicTotem in the corners of the room.

// Reverberation Time Predictions //

For each acoustic solution presented in the next pages, a RT study with predictions for both
untreated room and treated room is shown.
For the RT calculations, we considered a room with 4 m (W) x 5 m (L) x 3 m (H) dimensions.
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We also considered the finishes, walls and ceiling made of plasterboard and floor made of parquet.
It should be noted that if small rooms are considered, the RT is likely to have lower values than
the ones presented in the images. If different finishes are considered the RT may increase or
decrease depending on the finishes. These predicted values are meant to be used as a guidance
to understand the benefit of the acoustic treatment that is being proposed.
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06 Hi-Fi Rooms - VicTotem

The great thing about VicTotem is that you can vary

between absorption, diffusion and bass management or
any mix thereof in one single product without the need
to permanently install any acoustic panels.

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Copyright 2017 by Vicoustic. No parts of this document might be copied and/or published without the written consent of Vicoustic.
 Acoustic Treatment Guidelines 07

// Economic Solution // (for prices consult your local distributor)

4 Boxes of VicTotem

This Economic Solution will focus on First Reflections treatment and this will improve sound
definition in the listening area. By treating first reflections comb filter effects are likely to be
controlled and at the same time control the Reverberation Time within the room.

TIP
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Since VicTotem is a portable solution, it might be located wherever

people feels it is more convenient. For e.g., one can install VicTotem
in the corners if low frequency issues are a problem or in the back
wall to address late reflections.
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4 VicTotems

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08 Hi-Fi Rooms - VicTotem

RT Predictions
2.00

1.60

1.20

0.80

0.40

0.00
125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 Hz

Recommended RT Upper Limit Recommended RT Lower Limit

RT Untreated RT Economic Solution

Material Needed
4 VicTotem (4 Boxes)

TIP You can customize wood and fabric colors

Available Wood Colors

Available Fabric Colors

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Dimensions
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1845 x 595 x 366 mm

72.6 x 23.4 x 14.4

Copyright 2017 by Vicoustic. No parts of this document might be copied and/or published without the written consent of Vicoustic.
 Acoustic Treatment Guidelines 09

// Efficient Solution // (for prices consult your local distributor)

6 Boxes of VicTotem

This Efficient Solution besides treating First Reflections and Reverberation Time, it is also
treating:
Low Frequencies - By including VicTotems in the corners, rooms low frequency response
will improve.
Back Wall - By including a VicTotem on it, specular reflections will be controlled from the rear
wall and at the same time improve the sense of spaciousness within the room.
By including extra VicTotem units, the acoustics of the room is being better controlled and RT is
approaching recommended values.

TIP
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Since VicTotem is a variable acoustic solution, the RT of the room can

be tuned according to the kind of music you want to hear. This can
be achieved by changing the VicTotem surface that faces the room
to the absorption surface (for a more dead room - for example to
hear modern music) or to reflective/diffusive surface (for a more live
room, for example to hear classical music).
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6 VicTotems

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10 Hi-Fi Rooms - VicTotem

RT Predictions
2.00

1.60

1.20

0.80

0.40

0.00
125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 Hz

Recommended RT Upper Limit Recommended RT Lower Limit

RT Untreated

Material Needed
6 VicTotem (6 Boxes)

TIP You can wall mount VicTotem with its wall support

Available Wood Colors

Available Fabric Colors

2017V1

Dimensions
www.vicoustic.com

1845 x 595 x 366 mm

72.6 x 23.4 x 14.4

Copyright 2017 by Vicoustic. No parts of this document might be copied and/or published without the written consent of Vicoustic.
 Acoustic Treatment Guidelines 11

// Professional Solution // (for prices consult your local distributor)

12 Boxes of VicTotem

By having more VicTotem units this Professional Solution will also allow you to better change
the acoustics within your room and in this way tuning its acoustics according to your needs and
preferences.
This Professional Solution is utilizing more VicTotem units:
Back Wall, First Reflections and Low Frequencies are being better treated;
RT is being optimized and the recommended values for Hi-Fi rooms are being achieved.

TIP
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You can improve this solution by buying an extra unit for each
VicTotem unit. You will then get VicTotem with 4 vertical units instead
of 3. This will give you more flexibility to vary the acoustics of your
room.
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12 VicTotems

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12 Hi-Fi Rooms - VicTotem

RT Predictions
2.00

1.60

1.20

0.80

0.40

0.00
125 250 500 1000 2000 4000 Hz

Recommended RT Upper Limit Recommended RT Lower Limit

RT Untreated RT Professional Solution

Material Needed
12 VicTotem (12 Boxes)

TIP You can buy an extra unit if you need to expand VicTotem vertically

Available Wood Colors

Available Fabric Colors

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Dimensions
www.vicoustic.com

1845 x 595 x 366 mm

72.6 x 23.4 x 14.4

Copyright 2017 by Vicoustic. No parts of this document might be copied and/or published without the written consent of Vicoustic.
 Acoustic Treatment Guidelines
// Glossary //
dB (decibel) The scale on which sound
pressure level is expressed. It is defined as 20
times the logarithm of the root-mean-square
pressure of the sound field and reference
pressure (2x10-5 Pa)
Reverberation An acoustical phenomenon
that occurs in enclosed spaces, when sound
persists in that space as a result of repeated
reflection or scattering from surfaces enclosing
the space or objects within it.
Reverberation Time (s) A measure of the
degree of reverberation in a space. It is equal to
the time required for the level of a steady sound
to decay by 60 dB after it has been turned off.
Direct Sound Sound that arrives the listener
position directly from the sound source, i.e.
without being reflected from any object or
surface.
Sound reflection It is the portion of the sound
energy that is returned in a preferable defined
direction when the sound wave hits a surface.
Sound absorption It is the portion of the
sound energy that is not returned when a sound
wave hits a surface.
Sound diffusion Sound diffusion occurs when
a sound wave hits a complex surface such as a
diffuser and its energy is distributed in many
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directions and not in a preferable defined
direction.
First Reflections Normally defined as the sound
reflections that reach the listener position up to
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around 20ms after the direct sound.
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Standing Waves A standing wave is originated
from the interaction of two sound waves with
equal frequency and amplitude but travelling in
opposite directions. Unlike the travelling waves,
the standing waves do not cause a net transport
of energy, since the two waves that form it are
carrying equal energy in opposite directions.
The resulting wave (standing wave) alternates
between maximum and zero amplitude.
Room Modes At specific frequencies, called
room resonance frequencies, standing waves
are created within rooms. These frequencies
depend on the dimension and shape of
the room. The group of these resonance
frequencies are normally referred as room
modes. When a sound source generates sound
with frequencies equal or close to the room
resonance frequencies, the room response
will be enhanced and patterns of maximum
pressure levels and minimum pressure levels
will be originated. The shape of these patterns
differs with room resonance frequency.
Flutter Echoes Repeated sound reflections
caused by sound waves travelling between
parallel reflective surfaces such as walls.
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// Vicoustic Project Support //

Our team of engineers and designers is ready to assist you
Our Team is able to answer your technical queries and provide the necessary product documentation and
implementation details. The Team includes Senior Acoustic Engineers and Designers, with a decade-long
experience.
In addition, our Research Department is also available to develop customized products to satisfy your needs.
Vicoustic works with the most advanced hardware and software tools available, this allows us to accurately
simulate the finalized acoustic performance of your room. Together, we can provide reliable and effective
recommendations, products and support services throughout the whole project process from conception
through to completion.
In collaboration with our worldwide partners, you will find examples of completed installations for Sony, BBC,
Microsoft, ITV, Clarion, SIS, Unilever, Ralph Lauren, and many, many more.

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All prices in this document are examples and may vary over time and in any specific market. Please contact your local Vicoustic dealer for exact pricing.

Copyright 2017 by Vicoustic. No parts of this document might be copied and/or published without the written consent of Vicoustic.
Office Rua Quinta do Bom Retiro N16, Armazm 9 . 2820 690 Charneca da Caparica . Portugal Tel +351 212 964 100 Fax +351 212 964 101

Logistics Avenida do Polo 3, N159 . 4590-137 Carvalhosa, Paos de Ferreira . Portugal Tel +351 917 851 019

Info and Sales: sales@vicoustic.com | Project Department: projects@vicoustic.com | Marketing Department: marketing@vicoustic.com

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Copyright 2017 by Vicoustic. No parts of this document might be copied and/or published without the written consent of Vicoustic.