Church Hall Acoustic Treatment Case Study in Malaysia

This case study documents an acoustic treatment project carried out for a church hall in Malaysia, where excessive reverberation and echo were significantly affecting speech clarity and musical performance during services.

Prior to acoustic treatment, the church hall experienced long reverberation times, making spoken word sermons difficult to understand, particularly for congregants seated further from the stage. Live music and worship sessions also suffered from sound build up and lack of clarity due to sound reflections from hard wall and ceiling surfaces.

Acoustics Asia was engaged to assess the acoustic conditions and design a targeted treatment solution that would improve speech intelligibility and overall sound quality, while respecting the architectural character and functional use of the church space.

The objective of the acoustic design was to reduce reverberation time to a more suitable range for church halls, enhancing clarity for sermons, announcements, and live music, without over-absorbing the space or altering its visual identity.

Project Overview

Scope: Acoustic assessment, panel design, and installation

Space type: Church hall

Primary use: Worship services, sermons, live music

Key acoustic issues: Excessive reverberation, echo, poor speech intelligibility

Location: Malaysia

Acoustic Challenges

• Long reverberation time caused by large volume and hard reflective surfaces
• Reduced speech intelligibility during sermons
• Sound buildup during live worship music
• Difficulty achieving consistent sound clarity across seating areas

Acoustic Solution & Design Approach

Acoustics Asia designed a fabric acoustic panel treatment strategy tailored specifically for the church hall environment. The solution focused on controlling mid- and high-frequency reflections that contributed most to reverberation and speech intelligibility issues.

Acoustic panels were installed on selected wall and ceiling areas to absorb excess sound energy while maintaining a balanced acoustic response suitable for both spoken word and live music. Panel placement was carefully considered to ensure effective reverberation control without visually overwhelming the space.

Where applicable, health-safe and low-emission acoustic materials were selected to ensure suitability for long-term occupancy in a communal environment.

Our Solution

1. Fabric-Wrapped Acoustic Ceiling Panels

We proposed a ceiling-mounted acoustic treatment using non-toxic, eco-friendly fabric panels, selected for:

• High absorption (NRC 0.8–0.9 depending on thickness)
• Neutral, elegant colours suitable for sacred architecture
• Durable, easy-maintenance design

2. Strategic Placement for Maximum Coverage

Panels were arranged across the nave and altar area, angling them to break parallel reflections and minimise echo paths.

This layout specifically targeted:

• Mid–high frequencies (critical for speech clarity)
• Direct reflections from the band
• General reverberation across the hall

3. Acoustic Expertise Provided as a Complimentary Contribution

To support the church’s financial constraints, we charged only for:

• Material
• Labour
• Transportation

All acoustic design, testing, and consultancy were provided at no additional cost as our contribution to the community.

Results & Outcome

Measured Acoustic Improvement

Following the acoustic treatment:

• Reverberation time was significantly reduced
• Speech clarity during sermons improved noticeably
• Live music became clearer and more controlled
• Congregants reported improved listening comfort throughout the hall

Acoustic Parameter	Before	After
Reverberation Time (RT60)	4–5 seconds	1.4–1.8 seconds
Speech Clarity	Poor	Clear, balanced, comfortable
Live Band Performance	Harsh, overwhelming	Controlled, warm, well-defined

What the Client Reported

• Congregants instantly noticed clearer sermons
• Elderly members could finally hear without strain
• Music felt “full but not noisy”
• Overall experience became calmer, warmer, and more welcoming

Visuals From the Project

Why This Solution Worked

• Rooms with high ceilings & hard surfaces need heavy mid-high absorption
• Ceiling placement treats the largest reflection path without altering the architecture
• Fabric-wrapped panels provided both performance and aesthetic harmony
• Reducing RT to ~1.5 seconds created the ideal balance between spoken word and music

Client Profile

Type: Catholic Church
Location: Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur
Space: Worship hall
Primary Use: Sermons, choir, live band worship, community gatherings
Project Duration: 4-day installation.

Ready to Improve Your Worship Space?

Acoustic comfort changes the way people experience faith, music, and community.
If your church or hall faces echo, unclear sound, or live band issues, we can help.