• One might think that acoustics should be considered at the design stage; indeed they should, but sadly, this situation is surprisingly common; there is a definite trend towards bare, hard surfaces in the décor of cafés and restaurants. While this is visually pleasing, the resulting acoustic environment often leaves a lot to be desired. 
  • A case in point is Albatross, a specialist fish and seafood restaurant located in the heart of Taunton, on the bank of the River Tone. 
  • The restaurant had not been open long when the owners started receiving complaints from customers about the poor acoustics.  
  • Hard surfaces reflect sound energy within a room, which means it takes longer to die away. This causes speech sounds to overlap and become muddled – rather like disturbing sediment in clear water. 
  • The owners were naturally concerned about the restaurant’s reputation, and promptly sought professional advice. 
  • Acoustic measurements were carried out by Blue Acoustics of Taunton, and these were used to inform our own calculations. 
  • The chosen solution in this case was the installation of Stone Circle clusters. Not only do these achieve the desired outcome for the acoustics, they also enhance the aesthetic of the room.