High-Quality Natural Wood Panels Manufacturers and Suppliers In China. We product: Wood Acoustic Panels PET Panels
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Noisy rooms wreck meetings, strain focus, and kill design intent. You try “soundproof” tips, add acoustic panel ideas, and still hear echoes. Frustrating. Let’s understand the differences and pick the right fix—so you actually improve the sound you live with.
Soundproof panels aim to block sound from entering or leaving a space (sound isolation), while acoustic panels absorb sound within a room to reduce echo and reverberation. Think STC for blocking and NRC for absorbing. Most projects need a smart blend of both to enhance sound quality efficiently.
When we discuss difference between soundproofing and acoustic treatment, we’re talking about two goals. Soundproofing aims to block sound—stop sound transmission through walls, floors, doors, and the ceiling—so noise doesn’t travel. Acoustic treatment manages reflections within a room to absorb sound waves, tame reverberation, and improve sound quality.
Soundproof vs acoustic panels
In practice, soundproofing uses mass, airtightness, damping, and decoupling. Acoustic panels are generally porous and soft—materials like foam, PET felt, mineral wool, or fabric—to absorb energy and reduce echo. One stops sound from entering or leaving a room; the other improves the acoustic environment you hear within a space.
“STC keeps noise out; NRC keeps echo down.”
That’s the simplest way to remember it.
Here are the key differences between acoustic panels (absorption) and soundproof panels (isolation). We’ll also show how they relate to common ratings:
| Attribute | Acoustic Panels (Absorption) | Soundproof Panels (Isolation) |
| Primary goal | Reduce reverberation and sound within a room | Aims to block sound transfer between spaces |
| Typical rating | NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient) 0.65–0.95 | STC (sound transmission class) 40–60+ (for assemblies) |
| Core mechanism | Porous absorption (e.g., PET felt, fabric-wrapped, acoustic foam) | Mass + airtightness + damping/decoupling |
| Where used | Rooms needing clarity: offices, schools, studios | Party walls, floors, doors, ceilings, enclosures |
| Quick heuristic | “Quiet the room” | “Keep the noise out/in” |
What’s the difference people feel? Acoustic panels improve the sound quality within the same room; soundproofing may not change echo at all, but it prevents sound from entering from next door.
If you hear the neighbor’s TV, you need soundproofing. If your own room is echoey and speech is muddy, you need acoustic treatment and soundproofing—well, acoustic treatment at least. Many projects use both in layers: isolation on assemblies; absorption mounted on walls or ceilings to calm reflections.
A quick test: clap once. If you hear a long tail, add absorption panels. If outside traffic bothers you, upgrade the partition (mass + sealing). Sometimes adding acoustic doors or seals yields outsized gains.
Absorbers control the way sound reflects. Open-cell materials like foam and PET felt absorb sound by turning sound waves into tiny heat losses. Wood slat panels add tuned airflow resistance and diffusion to enhance sound and aesthetics. Acoustic fabric faces let panels breathe while protecting cores.
PET felt acoustic panels
Foam panels remain popular for recording studio corners and early-reflection points. PET felt is durable, cleanable, and design-friendly in offices and schools. Our panels are made with PET, E0-grade binders, and low-VOC components to support healthy interiors.
Soundproofing materials focus on mass and airtightness: dense boards, laminated drywall, MLV, and properly sealed assemblies. For higher performance, use staggered studs or resilient channels to reduce mechanical coupling—this reduces sound transmission.
Acoustic panels vs those heavy layers: acoustic panels are not for isolation. They do not block sound from entering through a weak wall; they manage sound within a room. Think of them as the “finish” for room acoustics, not the structure for sound isolation.
Start with first reflections (side wall or ceiling points). In talk-heavy rooms, ceiling clouds or baffles are highly efficient because they intercept early reflections from many directions. In recording studio rooms, treat side walls and add bass control.
For open offices, a blend of wall panels, ceiling baffles, and soft furnishings improve the sound landscape. Balanced coverage lets you control the way sound behaves without over-deadening.
Short answer: no. Porous absorbers are made to dampen reflections, not to stop sound from entering or exiting partitions. If you plan on soundproofing a room, address the construction: add mass, seal gaps, and decouple layers. Then use absorption to enhance sound quality.
That said, smart absorption placement can make a room feel much quieter because it lowers sound within—you’ll talk softer, and HVAC or keyboard noise won’t linger.
NRC predicts how well a product absorbs mid-to-high frequencies. Values near 1.00 indicate strong sound absorption. STC rates a wall/door/window assembly’s resistance to sound transmission (mostly speech frequencies). These are different tests, so don’t compare them 1-to-1.
Typical ranges: PET felt NRC 0.75–0.95; slat panels 0.55–0.85 (depending on backing); common office walls STC 35–45; high-spec walls STC 50–60+. Use both ratings together to select solutions for sound control that fit your goals.
Industry references: ASTM E90 (transmission, STC) and ASTM C423 (absorption, NRC). See ASTM International, ASA, and ASHRAE for standards and guidance.
Yes. Difference between acoustic treatment and “just panels” is scope. Treatment includes strategic layout, bass control, diffusers, and space planning. Sometimes furniture, partitions, and curtains are part of the plan. Acoustic panels are typically the backbone, but placement, coverage, and balance matter as much as SKU choice.
For premium results, combine absorbers with diffusion and bass traps. This yields a lively yet controlled acoustic environment that feels natural and comfortable.
Office: We installed PET panels and suspended clouds to improve the sound quality within an open hub. Result: clearer speech and lower stress. Managers reported a 30–40% reduction in perceived noise (post-occupancy survey).
Classroom: Wood slat absorbers along rear walls plus ceiling baffles cut reverberation by >40% (from ~1.2 s to ~0.7 s). Teachers noted fewer repeats per lesson.
Recording studio: Porous absorbers at reflection points with bass traps in corners. Clients praised tighter imaging and punch.
“Panels are popular** because they’re fast to install, scalable, and designer-friendly.”
PET panels applicated in office
And remember: vs acoustic isolation, absorption is not a substitute; they work together.
We are a professional manufacturer in China of PET and wood acoustic panels for global B2B buyers—distributors and importers of building materials, architects and interior designers, contractors for large commercial/public projects, and brand owners seeking OEM/ODM. We supply custom sizes, fire ratings, colorways, E0 emissions, and fast lead times.
Explore relevant solutions on our site:
Absorption (NRC):
Isolation (STC):
These are indicative; real results vary by build quality, sealing, and junctions (doors, glazing, penetrations).
Do acoustic panels block sound from entering or exiting a space?
No. Absorbers manage sound within a space; they don’t seal or add mass. To prevent sound, address the assembly—mass, damping, and airtightness—to stop sound from entering or exiting.
Can foam or felt replace proper isolation?
No. They dampen reflections but won’t stop sound transmission through partitions. Use them after isolation upgrades to improve the sound quality within and enhance sound clarity.
What’s the best thickness for office panels?
For speech, 9–12 mm PET is effective. Combine area coverage (10–25% of room surface) with ceiling elements for balanced room acoustics.
Where should I start with a small budget?
Seal gaps first. Door sweeps and perimeter seals can yield big gains. Then place panels at first reflections to improve sound quality without over-spending.
Are fiberglass panels still relevant?
Yes. Fiberglass panels deliver strong mid/high absorption, often fabric-wrapped. PET felt is a designer-friendly, cleanable alternative with recycled content.
We manage multi-site roll-outs—can you customize?
Yes. As an OEM/ODM factory, we tailor dimensions, edges, perforations, veneers, and packaging—consistent SKUs across regions with fast, reliable logistics.
| Goal | Primary tool | Secondary tool | Notes |
| Stop neighbor noise | Isolation upgrades (mass, sealing, decoupling) | Add absorbers for comfort | Address flanking; check doors/windows |
| Reduce echo in a conference room | Absorbers (walls, ceiling clouds) | Light diffusion | Cover 15–25% of surfaces |
| Control bass in a studio | Porous traps + pressure traps | Early-reflection panels | Treat corners and first reflections |
| Improve privacy between rooms | STC-rated door + wall assembly | White noise (if allowed) | Airtightness is critical |
Remember: key differences matter because budgets are finite. Spend first where it counts.
We use PET from recycled content, formaldehyde-safe binders, and third-party emission tests. Wood veneers are FSC-available. Installers like that our systems are mounted on walls or ceilings quickly with low dust and clean edges. Acoustic panels are best suited for busy environments requiring quick turnarounds and durable finishes.
For isolation builds, check fire, seismic, and egress codes. Combine soundproofing solutions with proper construction details—back-to-back outlets, continuous seals, and flanking paths can make or break performance.
Looking to manage sound within your next build? Let’s collaborate—submit drawings and we’ll map isolation and absorption in one clear plan.
(Standards describe how sound transmission and sound absorption are tested; always verify product data sheets for exact ratings.)
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