If sound is bouncing around your large open space and making it difficult to hear clearly, you’re not alone. Echo and reverberation are common issues in areas with high ceilings, hard surfaces, and minimal soft furnishings — such as showrooms, warehouses, gymnasiums, indoor sports centres, and converted industrial buildings. These spaces can become virtual echo chambers where noise lingers and speech clarity suffers.
This echo effect, known as reverberation, can make speech and music difficult to understand and create an uncomfortable acoustic environment. The solution is to install sound-absorbing panels that reduce noise by absorbing sound energy before it reflects around the room.
For open interiors without fitted ceilings, an ideal solution is acoustic baffles. Sontext manufactures and supplies Sonofonic Baffles—lightweight, suspended panels that hang vertically from the roof using chain or wire. These baffles absorb up to 90% of sound waves that reach their surface, making them highly effective in large spaces with high rooflines.
Sonofonic Baffles are available in two finish options: fabric-covered or painted. The fabric version comes in thicknesses from 50mm to 100mm and is wrapped in commercial acoustic screen fabrics to suit your interior design. The painted option is available in 30mm to 100mm thicknesses and can be finished in a wide range of colours from the RAL or Pantone chart — a popular choice for commercial spaces like Melbourne Airport Terminal 4.
At Sontext, we’ll help you choose the right acoustic solution — whether that’s wall-mounted panels, ceiling clouds, or suspended baffles — to reduce echo and improve the usability of your space. Contact us for tailored advice or support on your next project.
What Causes Echo in Large Rooms?
Echo occurs when sound reflects off hard surfaces like walls, ceilings, windows, and floors. In large rooms with minimal soft finishes, the sound has nothing to absorb it — so it keeps bouncing, creating reverb and muddled acoustics.
Best Acoustic Panel Types for Large Open Spaces
Sontext offers several products ideal for these environments. Serenity Fabric Panels are excellent for absorbing speech frequencies, while Decrasound Polyester Panels provide lightweight flexibility and visual appeal.
Where Should Panels Be Installed?
For large spaces, a mix of wall-mounted and ceiling-suspended panels typically delivers the best result. Our team can help you determine ideal placement to reduce reflections and tailor the solution to your layout and finishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my space sound echoey even though it’s furnished?
Large rooms often have more hard, reflective surfaces than soft materials — even when furnished. Echo occurs when those surfaces reflect sound waves.
Will rugs or curtains help?
They may help slightly, but for noticeable improvement you’ll need purpose-built acoustic panels that absorb sound across a broader frequency range.
What types of panels work best in open spaces?
Fabric-faced or polyester panels are ideal. They can be installed in larger surface areas and customised to match the room’s design.
Can I install panels on the ceiling?
Yes — ceiling panels (also known as acoustic clouds or baffles) are highly effective for reducing echo in high-volume rooms.
Do I need to treat every surface?
Not always. Treating strategic areas like upper walls or ceilings is usually enough to significantly reduce echo.
Need Help Reducing Echo in a Large Space?
Talk to the Sontext team about a tailored acoustic solution. We can help reduce echo in halls, foyers, studios, and community spaces. Call us on +61 3 9432 2733 or contact us online for expert advice or a project quote.