Sound Masking Demonstration
Acoustical Solutions uses their offices to demonstrate the new Desktop Sound Masking System.
Sound masking is an increasingly popular system that raises the frequency of ambient, or background noise to the level of human speech. This makes it so that someone can speak at a normal level and be clearly understood by someone close by, but not have the conversation distract someone in a neighboring work station. This is even more critical due to the increasing popularity of open-plan offices, which is now used in 80% of space planning (International Facility Management Association). The cubicles have been torn down, fostering a team environment and open communication between workers, but also eliminating privacy and increasing distraction.
Earlier this year, an article appeared in The New York Times analyzing the trend toward open-plan offices stating "scientists, for their part, are measuring the unhappiness and the lower productivity of distracted workers. After surveying 65,000 people over the past decade in North America, Europe, Africa and Australia, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, report that more than half of office workers are dissatisfied with the level of "speech privacy," making it the leading complaint in offices everywhere".
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The Desktop Sound Masking System is available when a portable solution for speech privacy is desired. Small and portable, this system is a professional grade speaker that provides speech privacy in home offices, small waiting areas and for locations where it is difficult to install sound masking in the ceiling or plenum. This white noise machine helps create speech privacy by generating a comfortable background sound in the area it is being used.
Simply place the desktop unit in the room, preferably between you and the other areas that require the privacy. The Desktop Sound Masking System consists of an individual self-contained noise generator, audio amplifier, loud speaker and power supply unit in a sleek, rectangular ABS speaker body. It is powered by an internal transformer with a 120 VAC plug. You can make adjustments by using a small screw driver (not provided), to the contour and volume control. Each speaker comes with a 6-foot cord that can plug into any 110v outlet. You can adjust the Desktop Sound Masking System to suit a variety of room conditions by making adjustments to the amplitude and spectra shapes. You can make adjustments in increments of +/- ½ dB.
In addition, this noise masking machine has the adjustment capability to provide the most unobtrusive sound while obtaining the maximum speech privacy. Unlike conventional white noise machines, our Desktop Sound Masking unit meets ASTM E-1130 standards for speech privacy and sound uniformity. The spectrum shape adjustment ranges from 1 dB at 125 Hz to 20 dB at 8,000 Hz (typical). Range of sound level: 41-86 dBA. This commercial grade speaker is available in a white or black color. Speakers come with mounting brackets and rubber feet for a variety of mounting options. Use the rubber feet to simply set on a desk or use the mounting bracket to attach elsewhere.
