Achievement of acoustical comfort and patron privacy, voice and music communication goals is dependent on many inter-related facility and system design factors, and requires coordination of all aspects of architectural, interior, mechanical, and electrical systems designs.
Spectra Tech can assume complete responsibility for aspects of your facility design in order to control noise within a room, optimize patron “acoustical comfort,” and enhance speech, music and program presentation in your facility.
We do not sell or install acoustical materials, sound amplification systems, or lighting systems. We are design consultants who represent your interests, and we can serve on your project design team. We can recommend the best design options using the widest range of products from all manufacturers.

Spectra Tech can provide design consultation and onsite testing for the following types of Restaurant Hospitality Entertainment facilities:

  • Restaurant
  • Cafe
  • Entertainment Venue
  • Night Club
  • Bar
  • Bistro
  • Dining Room
  • Coffee Shop
  • Hospitality Room
  • Meeting Room
  • Party Room
  • Outdoor Patio

Acoustics Optimization

Dining rooms, bars, entertainment venues, patios, and meeting rooms, are constructed with the express purpose of allowing communication and frequently host a substantial number of people. Thoughts, ideas and feelings are exchanged through the medium of acoustics, in the form of speech, music, and other audio presentations. In these spaces, it is imperative that the acoustic medium be designed to optimize the effectiveness of the audio communications and minimize the distraction and dissatisfaction that can result from poor acoustics

Spectra Tech can perform the following services to optimize acoustics:

  • Recommend the optimum acoustical performance criteria for your space, based on physical size of the room and the intended use (dining, conversation, musical performance, etc.).
  • Optimize room designs for speech and program intelligibility
  • Guide the acoustical design and construction of your facility
  • Ask “the right questions” to properly elicit critical design expectations, opportunities, and constraints.
  • Perform onsite testing to quantify acoustic performance in an existing facility, and compare the test results to established performance standards. Some tests can be performed within minutes. Other tests, such as OSHA workday noise exposure tests, require a minimum of one workday per test location and can be performed using unattended equipment.
  • Working from blueprint drawings, we can predict key acoustical performance results in advance of construction, using our proprietary computer-based technologies (see link for example)
  • Identify any potential acoustical problems and address them before work is undertaken
  • Recommend optimium sound absorption, diffusion, and reflective surfaces.
  • Recommend designs and specifications to achieve optimum sound isolation between the adjacent spaces or exterior noise sources
  • Assist your architect or interior designer in selecting appropriate construction materials, finishes, furnishings, equipment, and installation methods necessary to achieve desired results. This can be done without compromising the aesthetic design objectives.

Noise and Vibration Control:

Sound and vibration are natural by-products of practically all mechanical, electrical, and human activity. Low levels of sound emission and vibration are usually ignored, and are accepted as part of our everyday background sounds. When a particular sound or vibration significantly exceeds the acceptable background level for a facility, except for the purpose of communication, we refer to it as “noise”.

Spectra Tech can perform the following services to control noise and vibration:

  • Perform onsite interior or exterior testing at your facility, identify sources of objectionable noise and vibration, and compare the test results to normally acceptable design standards and zoning regulations.
  • We can positively identify the sources of noise by recording actual audio associated with the test data. Our system can log data in this manner for up to 1 week unattended.
  • Assist in achieving acoustical comfort in your rooms by controlling patron crowd noise – without ruining the ambience of the space.
  • Performance testing to assist in fine-tuning mechanical systems HVAC installation to minimize noise emissions.
  • Develop multiple options for mitigation of noise and vibration, by recommending the products that best suit your facility, based on the frequency range and intensity of the noise and vibration we measure.
  • On new construction projects, we can work with other members of your design team to identify potential sources of noise and vibration prior to construction.
  • Develop plans and specifications to limit noise and vibration emissions to acceptable levels
  • Work with your Mechanical Engineer to develop solutions involving HVAC system noise.

Sound System Optimization for Entertainment, Performances, & Presentations

In an entertainment venue or meeting room, use of a sound amplification system is necessary in all but the smallest facilities. The sound system must provide adequate inputs for all presenters and participants, must have appropriate control capabilities, and must amplify the spoken word and music in a “true to life” manner for all in attendance at services. An example of our system design objective: “provide amplified sound level and frequency range for all listeners equivalent to natural / unamplified sound heard as if 8 feet from the presenter.”

Spectra Tech can perform the following services to optimize sound system performance:

  • Conduct on-site acoustic testing and computer-based analysis of building plans.
  • Recommend the optimum speaker layout based on the desired frequency spectrum output and interior design style.
  • Specify sound amplification and recording capabilities
  • Determination of whether any existing equipment might be salvaged and re-used
  • Consultation with system users re: input devices (microphones, control consoles, processors, etc.)
  • Coordination with electrical engineer for the primary AC power circuits, as well as standby power supplies for systems used for emergency purposes.

Visual Presentation System Optimization for Entertainment, Performances, & Presentations

Spectra Tech can perform the following services to optimize visual presentation system performance:

  • Optical design – we can optimize physical positioning of projectors, screens, and monitors for viewer line-of-sight, projected image light levels, and projected image size for viewers, etc.
  • Determination of whether any existing equipment might be salvaged and re-used
  • Computer Systems – design to interface with your existing hardware & software, and accommodate future deployment plans
  • Information Technology -design to mesh seamlessly with your existing data network
  • Video – we can also integrate cameras and recording technology into the systems
  • Consultation with system users re: input and control devices (computer graphics system, control console, processors, etc.)
  • Coordination with electrical engineer regarding installation of AC power circuits for equipment

Lighting System Optimization for Entertainment, Performances, & Presentations
When your facility utilizes a visual presentation or recording system and features performances by presenters, performers, or musicians, proper illumination and control of the light levels is essential.

Spectra Tech can perform the following services to optimize lighting system performance:

  • Design lighting and dimmer system to coordinate and control all lighting within the room
  • Identification of lighting zones and requirements for illumination of individual locations
  • Determination of whether any existing lighting fixtures and dimming control equipment might be salvaged and re-used
  • Consultation with system users re: lighting fixtures, control panels)
  • Coordination with electrical engineer for the primary AC power circuits, as well as standby power supplies for systems used for emergency purposes.

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