Rooms can present all sorts of acoustics problems, such as too much boom or reflected sound.

These issues have led several manufacturers to create a wide array of treatments and products to tackle the problem, but they aren’t necessarily aesthetically pleasing.

Their focus is acoustics; aesthetics aren’t necessarily high on the ‘to do’ list.

SonicPrint custom-printed ProPanels, manufactured by Auralex Acoustics, are fabric-covered acoustic absorptive panels designed as artwork.

For the home theatre enthusiast, these panels open the door to numerous home theatre decor options, as the acoustic panels are camouflaged under a design of the customer’s choice.

Users are no longer limited to single-colour fabric choices and can now fit out spaces with paintings and drawings of any kind.

Auralex is negotiating with several licensed properties to provide additional graphic options.

“SonicPrint was the next natural step for Auralex,” sales and marketing director Tim Martin says.

“We recognised a void in the home theatre and home recording markets, as acoustic treatments were limited to single-colour fabrics.

“Home decor and aesthetically pleasing environments are important to our customers. Now, with SonicPrint, Auralex offers the best of both worlds – a high-quality acoustic panel with nearly limitless style and design options.”

Based on Auralex’s ELiTE ProPanels, the acoustic treatments are designed to reduce unwanted room reflections, slap and flutter echoes.

The panels have a fibreglass core with chemically hardened edges.

ProPanels allow virtually unlimited options regarding acoustic panel design and are available in any size up to 1.5m x 3m with a thickness of 2cm, 2.5cm, 5cm or 10cm.

Beyond the standard rectangular panels, custom shapes, corners or edging can be created for a truly individualised product.

But it’s not just aesthetic concerns the company is taking on. It has also released its first ‘green’ acoustic panel – Eco-Tech.

And earlier this year, it announced the first green acoustic foam product on the market, Eco-Friendly StudioFoam.

Eco-Tech acoustic panels are manufactured with a proprietary formulation of 100% recycled polyester fibres, reducing the ecological footprint of acoustic treatment. The panels are manufactured without harmful chlorofluorocarbons, or CFCs, which have been implicated in the depletion of the ozone layer.

“The introduction of Eco-Tech is the next step in our ongoing initiative to become a more earth-conscious company by refining our products and practices,” operations director Dave Paxton says.

“Alongside our eco-friendly approach in manufacturing, Auralex is proud to do its part in conserving our resources by printing collateral materials on recycled paper and by using recycled materials for the shipment of our products.”

The new Eco-Tech acoustic panels are available in the same colour choices and cuts as the company’s original acoustic panels and there is no increase in cost to dealer or consumer.