Waveform® Gaussian 1D Wood Sound Diffuser
The Waveform® Gaussian -W represents the evolution in architectural acoustics toward quantifiable, natural wood organic shapes; used in auditoriums both as overhead canopies, in order to better blend the direct and reflected sound, and along walls to provide scattered sound to the audience. A canopy design approach will increase intelligibility, enhance musical clarity and improve intimacy. Typically, curved canopy arrays are used instead of flat to provide not only the needed early reflections, but also provide scattering of the reflected energy to more uniformly address a broader selection of the audience.

Problem
In auditoria, in order to have a sufficient volume of space for various logistical, performance and sound requirements inherent of the intended use, the design demands that there be high ceilings. If left untreated, the reflections from a far, hard ceiling can degrade the acoustical performance of the space. If the ceiling is simply treated with absorption to mitigate the disturbing reflections, then more energy, energy that is important and useful, is being removed from the space than needed. This is especially true in regards to high frequency energy. In the end, an absorptive approach means that there would be less acoustical support coming from above the audience which if appropriately addressed can increase intelligibility, enhance musical clarity and improve intimacy as noted above.

Solution
Overhead canopies are suspended below the constructed ceiling in auditoriums to both improve and control the acoustics of the space. When properly oriented, canopy arrays will provide desirable early reflections while helping to maintain the required reverberation time. This can be accomplished by incorporating absorption into the rear of the unit. Flat panel arrays are sometimes used for economy; however, these can potentially provide non-uniform sound to the audience. This issue is solved simply by curving and orienting the panels to provide sound diffusion. The most effective approach to curving the panels is in optimizing multiple radii into a single, asymmetric element which can then be arrayed using sequencing techniques that avoid periodicity.

Features

• Offers an attractive, acoustically optimized canopy and wall treatment for large, performance driven spaces for music, theater and lecture.
• Broad bandwidth sound diffusion in a decorative, furniture grade finish.
• Available in 4′ x 4′ (nominal) size and can be arrayed into very large areas.
• Choose from any commercially available natural wood veneer, plastic laminate, melamine coating or paint finish.
• Class A Fire Rated, FSC and NAUF cores are available.
• Asymmetric by design and patented, the Waveform® Gaussian can be array optimized to reduce periodicity effects.
• Canopy spacing and arrangement can be optimized for additional improvement in coverage and diffusion.