advice in acoustics (not bass related)

Is there any baffling? Or is it all hard, reflective surfaces? Just how big of a space are we talking about?

 

Seems like the simplest solution is acoustical tile on the walls and ceilings. Pretty much any suspended ceiling tile should do the trick for not too much money. The hard part is making it pretty.

-Nate

 

www.auralex.com

 

It would help to know what kind of room are we talking about, what is it used for and what are the materials? Is this a cafeteria or something?

Hard wall surfaces - and other surfaces too - reflect sound, making it echo. You want to add stuff that doesn't reflect soundwaves so much.

There's plenty of commercial products out there to improve acoustics. There is a cheap material called "woodwool cement board" aka WWCB, that looks like this: http://www.apionet.or.jp/~e-eishin/img/p04-1.jpg - it's also lightweight and fire resistant and can be painted with normal house paints and still has the acoustic properties. It looks pretty nice when painted.

Also there's some gypsium "acousto-board" products out there if he wants a different kinda look, but these are more expensive than WWCB.

What I would do is make a ceiling and perhaps some wall surfaces out of WWCB, and look into adding some soft furniture like a couple of sofas and chairs into the space to "suck out" the echo, if possible.

 

You need to stop the woundwaves from bouncing off the hard walls and floors. Carpet on the floor will work. Curtains on the windows and walls will work. And both these suggestions can be considered and "investment" in the business because you can make the room look nicer, encouraging more people to come in, stay longer, and spend more money.