Sonora panels—an innovative, sustainable solution for improving acoustic environments, as highlighted in TerraQuiet’s comprehensive white paper on modular hemp panels.

Improving Acoustic Environments with TerraQuiet’s Modular Acoustic Insulation Panels
A Comprehensive White Paper on Effectiveness and Applications

In collaboration with Akash Dighe from 52 Sounds

Executive Summary

TerraQuiet’s Modular Acoustic Insulation Panels offer a modern, sustainable solution for controlling noise in various environments, including homes, offices, studios, small group assembly areas, and industrial settings. This white paper outlines the panels' effectiveness based on real-world testing, showing a significant reduction in high-frequency echoes and improved low-frequency decay—key markers of acoustic clarity. With easy installation, strong performance across frequencies, and natural materials, TerraQuiet provides a scalable and stylish solution for improving acoustic environments across diverse settings.

Executive Summary
Introduction
Product Overview
Applications Across Environments
Quantifiable Benefits
Environmental Impact
Product Overview & Technical Specifications
Methodology
Results & Analysis
- Waterfall Plot: Untreated Room
- Waterfall Plot: Treated Room
- Supplemental Data: Material Absorption Performance
Considerations and Testing Scope
Conclusion

Introduction

Effective noise control is essential in residential, commercial, and industrial environments. Excessive noise can disrupt productivity, compromise privacy, and negatively impact health and well-being. Acoustic insulation—designed to reduce sound transmission within and between spaces—helps create quieter, more comfortable environments by preventing unwanted noise from entering or leaving a space.

TerraQuiet’s Modular Acoustic Insulation Panels provide an innovative and natural solution to these challenges. Engineered with high-performance hemp fiber, the panels combine superior sound absorption with modern design and versatile installation. This white paper explores the panels’ effectiveness, benefits, and applications in real-world settings.

Product Overview

TerraQuiet Modular Acoustic Insulation Panels are designed to improve the acoustic quality of indoor spaces while addressing functional and aesthetic needs. Each panel is constructed from densely packed, natural hemp fiber—chosen for its excellent sound absorption properties and durable performance.

The modular format allows straightforward installation on walls or ceilings, adaptable to rooms of any size. The panels are ideal for both new construction and retrofit projects, installing quickly with minimal disruption to existing operations. This flexibility makes them perfect for various environments, from home offices to industrial facilities.

The panels absorb a wide range of frequencies, with a focus on the 500 Hz to 4,000 Hz range, where human speech and everyday background noise are most disruptive. With a high Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC), TerraQuiet panels reduce echoes and reverberation, creating more balanced acoustics by softening harsh high-end reflections and enhancing low-frequency decay. Their clean, modern look and customizable sizing make them a functional and design-friendly solution for residential, commercial, and industrial applications.

Applications Across Environments

TerraQuiet panels are designed for flexibility and high performance in a variety of environments:

Offices: Open-plan layouts often suffer from noise and lack of privacy. TerraQuiet panels help reduce distractions and improve speech confidentiality, boosting focus and productivity.
Studios: In recording or creative spaces, balanced acoustics are essential. The panels help control harsh high-end frequencies while preserving warmth and clarity in lower tones.
Educational Settings: Classrooms, lecture halls, and libraries benefit from reduced ambient noise. TerraQuiet panels help minimize distractions, supporting better learning and communication.
Homes: Residential noise—from neighbors, street traffic, or within the home—can disrupt comfort. TerraQuiet panels help create quieter, more peaceful living spaces.
Industrial Spaces: In high-noise environments like factories or workshops, effective sound control is vital for safety and concentration. TerraQuiet panels help meet regulatory needs while improving day-to-day working conditions.
Hearing Impaired: For individuals with hearing deficits, proper acoustics are crucial for comprehension. TerraQuiet panels help facilitate understanding and create a more comfortable social environment.

Quantifiable Benefits

The performance of TerraQuiet panels is backed by real-world measurements and testing. Key acoustic benefits include:

Balanced Acoustic Treatment: Panels reduce harsh, high-frequency reflections while enhancing low-frequency decay, resulting in a more even and natural sound profile.
Improved Speech Intelligibility: By absorbing mid-to-high frequencies common in human speech, TerraQuiet panels ensure clear communication, especially in offices, classrooms, and shared spaces.

Product Overview & Technical Specifications

Methodology

To evaluate the acoustic performance of TerraQuiet’s Modular Acoustic Insulation Panels, controlled measurements were conducted in a real-world setting to quantify changes in sound decay characteristics before and after panel installation.

Test Environment:

Room dimensions: 14 ft (L) × 12 ft (W) × 8 ft (H)
Use case: Home office setup with standard furnishings (desk and chair)
Treatment area: 160 sq ft of TerraQuiet panels, strategically placed on four walls and the ceiling to optimize sound diffusion and absorption

Testing conducted by: 52 Sounds, an independent music and engineering company

Measurement Approach

A calibrated EMM-6 omnidirectional measurement microphone, known for its flat frequency response, was used to ensure accurate capture of the full acoustic spectrum. Measurements were taken in both untreated and treated conditions, using Room EQ Wizard (REW) software for data acquisition and analysis.

X-axis = Frequency (Hz)
Y-axis = Sound pressure level (dB)
Z-axis = Time (ms)

The primary acoustic visualization tool used was a waterfall plot, which represents how sound energy decays over time at different frequencies. In these plots:

This method is ideal for assessing how effectively a space absorbs and diffuses sound energy—especially low-frequency decay, a key marker of acoustic quality.

Results & Analysis

Waterfall Plot: Untreated Room

Before treatment, the room showed significant reverberation, with jagged decay curves around 250 Hz and 400 Hz, indicating prolonged reflections and a highly reflective environment—typical of spaces with hard surfaces and little sound treatment.

In the untreated condition, the room exhibited significant reverberation, especially in the lower frequency range (100–400 Hz). The waterfall plot displays jagged and irregular decay curves, particularly around 250 Hz and 400 Hz, which indicate uneven and prolonged reflections. This reflects a highly reflective acoustic environment, typical of spaces with hard surfaces and minimal sound treatment.

Waterfall Plot: Treated Room

Post-installation of TerraQuiet panels, the waterfall plot shows a marked improvement in acoustic control:

Smoother decay curves across the entire frequency spectrum
Noticeable reduction in sharp echoes and shrill reflections
Extended low-frequency decay times from 100 to 400 Hz—nearly doubling compared to the untreated room

These changes directly contribute to better speech intelligibility, reduced ear fatigue, and a more comfortable auditory experience, especially in workspaces or recording environments.

Supplemental Data: Material Absorption Performance

Independent data provided by the panel manufacturer demonstrates that TerraQuiet panels achieve:

90% sound absorption between 500 Hz and 4,000 Hz
Peak absorption of 99% between 1,000–1,200 Hz

This range aligns with common speech and background noise frequencies, supporting the panels’ effectiveness in real-world acoustic enhancement.

Considerations and Testing Scope

While the testing demonstrated clear acoustic improvements, it was conducted in a single residential room setup (14’ × 12’ × 8’) with 160 sq ft of TerraQuiet panels. Results may vary depending on room size, shape, furnishings, and panel placement. Future testing will expand to include larger rooms and more diverse use cases, such as commercial offices and studio environments.

Conclusion

TerraQuiet’s Modular Acoustic Insulation Panels provide a powerful, sustainable solution for improving sound quality across a wide range of environments—from home offices and studios to commercial and industrial spaces. Their thoughtful design and high-performance hemp composition enable them to absorb sound effectively, particularly in the low-frequency range where traditional solutions often fall short.

Independent testing confirms the panels’ ability to smooth out sound reflections, extend low-frequency decay, and create a more controlled and comfortable acoustic environment. The result is enhanced clarity, reduced echo, and an overall improvement in the auditory experience.

By choosing TerraQuiet, individuals and organizations gain more than just sound control—they invest in healthier, more productive spaces that support focus, communication, and well-being. With their versatility, proven performance, and eco-friendly materials, TerraQuiet panels are redefining what modern acoustic treatment can achieve.