This is a bit off topic, but I figured you guys might have some interesting opinions about this, so I thought I'd throw it out there.

Have you ever noticed how many restaurants have terrible acoustics? I've been to a few eating establishments lately with subdued lighting and romantic ambience, only to have that tranquil atmosphere shattered because it sounded like a 747 taking off in there from all the conversations echoing off the ceilings and walls.

We're talking about places that spent top dollar on interior design in an effort to create a certain "look" and "feel," but who haven't spent a dime on sound treatments. So, unfortunately, their intimate environments sound like an auditorium. It's hard to have a romantic dinner when you can barely hear your date... (well, I guess that would be ideal for some people, but I digress).

Do you think that decent acoustics is something that these places just aren't willing to pay for? Or do you think it's more of a case that the owners aren't educated about the possibilities?

If it's the latter, I would think there would be a massive market out there, just waiting for the right sound engineer.

Because their designers don't understand anything but how the space will look in a photograph. I actually put more blame on the owners for not understanding what the total dining experience should be like. Food, service and design all contribute to an over all experience which is ruined by poor acoustic dampening.

More to the point, take a look at many of the high end theaters you see in the magazines. How many look like they spent a bundle on gear and an interior decorator but have no acoustic treatments. Many people just don’t understand what the objective is so have no way to make sure the “professionals” actually know what they are doing.

The first restaurant I worked in was so loud. They actually added treatments all over the place. I remember everyone would walk by one of the walls and get wierded out with the void of sound created between their ear and the wall. This was also the only restaurant I have been with that never worried about their budget. I think it could be either or...I'm sure a few aren't willing to pay, but more do not even get presented the option.

But from working in them I can agree with the "design for photos only" statement. These 6-10+ million dollar properties also have design that completely counter acts an efficient work environment.

This is a bit off topic, but I figured you guys might have some interesting opinions about this, so I thought I'd throw it out there.

Have you ever noticed how many restaurants have terrible acoustics? I've been to a few eating establishments lately with subdued lighting and romantic ambience, only to have that tranquil atmosphere shattered because it sounded like a 747 taking off in there from all the conversations echoing off the ceilings and walls.

We're talking about places that spent top dollar on interior design in an effort to create a certain "look" and "feel," but who haven't spent a dime on sound treatments. So, unfortunately, their intimate environments sound like an auditorium. It's hard to have a romantic dinner when you can barely hear your date... (well, I guess that would be ideal for some people, but I digress).

Do you think that decent acoustics is something that these places just aren't willing to pay for? Or do you think it's more of a case that the owners aren't educated about the possibilities?

If it's the latter, I would think there would be a massive market out there, just waiting for the right sound engineer.

It really depends on the restaurant. I think that most all ignorant about acoustics but some actually want the "buzz" as they think it adds to too loud background music and makes the place seem lively. If so, they do not want my business (and I can accept that).

Others are generally quiet (but not sepulchral) and we tend to seek those out. In between are restaurants that we visit and will patronize IF, and only if, it is reasonably quiet that particular evening. They know us and accept that we will walk out if the noise level is high.

So, we learn which places are suitable for us and which are not. Fortunately, there is a more than decent selection in our neighborhood.

BTW, as for their lack of concern, I recall one restaurant at which we've dined many times having a sticky CD player which repeated a phrase ad nauseam. When I told the waiter, he said that he didn't hear it but would see about it. He changed the disc but a few minutes later, it stuck again. I called over the owner who admitted that she could not even hear the player. So, I insisted that they just turn it off and they did. However, they did not replace/fix the player since I had to make the same request two weekls later. Are we the only people who can hear anything?

Are we the only people who can hear anything?

Yes. I'm convinced of it.

When I told the waiter, he said that he didn't hear it but would see about it. He changed the disc but a few minutes later, it stuck again. I called over the owner who admitted that she could not even hear the player. Are we the only people who can hear anything?

Never underestimate the power of stupidity.

I do find it interesting in auditoriums and similar establishments to look at the accoustic work that is in place. Never would have noticed that before I started reading here.

I do find a handful of resturants where accoustics is a factor. Not really treatments, but I find the high ceiling ones to be a more enjoyable experience most of the time. I sometimes see ceiling panels that were chosen to help.

But most of the time the visual aesthetic is more considered than the audio. I usually just hope the food and service are good.

Are we the only people who can hear anything?

I often think so. It appears that the general public is oblivious to the horrible cacophony that I hear everywhere. Noise layered on noise with nasty reflective spaces everywhere. I have left several restaurants in the last year because I just could not stand the noise.

Have you ever noticed how many restaurants have terrible acoustics?

Yes! :D

We've sold treatments to restaurants, and they always come back a week later and say they wished they did it ten years earlier. But the vast majority are ignorant, or don't care, or both. There's a really nice restaurant near me that I love, but it's all wood and I can't stand the din. So my wife and I go only after 9:00 when it's quiet.

It's not only restaurants. Even large venues can sound terrible. What's so pathetic is for the cost of one evening's take they could transform the sound from horrible to fabulous.

--Ethan