Sound Masking System

A sound masking system is a broad term used to describe a system that essentially covers up or ‘masks’ unwanted sounds. A sound masking system provides the addition of an unobtrusive background sound, similar to airflow from an airconditioner, to reduce the intelligibility of human speech and reduce distractions. The terms white noise or pink noise are often used to describe the background sound used, although technically speaking, the sound frequency spectrum is different from white noise. Sound masking system are specifically engineered to contain the same spectrum as human speech. However, to the untrained ear, this system is the same as white noise.

Whilst open plan offices heralded a huge change in office design standards, the functionality of such spaces continues to affect productivity. Commonly, the background sound in an office environment can be very quiet which means that conversations can be easily heard from up to 15 metres away. In contrast, a call centre provides a very noisy environment, which means a single conversation can be difficult to hear amid the vast background noise. In both scenarios, a sound masking system can provide an effective solution. For a very quiet background environment, a sound masking system can allow team members to converse in their localised area without distracting teams or colleagues adjacent to them, hence enabling companies to maximise the desired impact of their open office plan. In the call centre example, a sound masking system reduces the intelligibility of the conversations and background noises that are highly distracting, allowing a greater level of concentration for the individual.

Sound masking can improve acoustical comfort in just about every industry and environment, but spaces that benefit the most include: