When planning an event, it’s easy to get caught up in the visual details—floral arrangements, lighting, signage, staging. But if guests can’t clearly hear what’s being said, played, or performed, all that effort can fall flat. Sound isn’t just a background element; it’s a critical part of how your audience experiences and engages with the event. Whether it’s a wedding, a conference, or a live concert, event acoustics can make or break the occasion.

Let’s explore how sound behaves in event spaces, why it matters, and how you can use basic principles of acoustics to ensure your next event is heard—and remembered—for all the right reasons.

Why Sound Matters More Than You Think

Imagine missing the punchline of a keynote speech because the mic keeps cutting out. Or watching guests shift uncomfortably as high-pitched feedback pierces the room. Poor audio creates frustration and distraction. In contrast, clear, balanced sound helps your audience relax, focus, and stay engaged.

A recent survey of event-goers found that sound quality ranked among the top three factors influencing their overall satisfaction. In weddings, guests often cite inaudible vows as a common disappointment. At product launches or business events, muffled presentations can mean missed opportunities, which doesn’t give a very good guest experience.

Put simply: if they can’t hear it, they can’t feel it. And if they can’t feel it, they won’t remember it.

Key Acoustic Principles Explained Simply

To design great sound, you don’t need to be an audio engineer—but you do need to grasp how sound interacts with space. These four acoustic principles matter most to the following.

Reverberation and Why It Blurs Speech

Reverberation is the lingering ‘echoey’ sound you hear in big halls or churches. It’s caused by sound waves bouncing around the room. While a little reverb can make music feel warm and full, too much will make speech sound slurred and indistinct. Long reverb times are especially problematic for conferences, ceremonies, and corporate events where clarity is key.

Echo and Reflections: The Enemies of Clarity

Echoes occur when sound reflects off hard surfaces—like walls, floors or ceilings—and returns to your ears slightly delayed. That’s why gyms and empty warehouses sound so boomy. In large venues, even a single misplaced speaker can cause a delay that makes music or speech hard to follow.

Absorption and Diffusion: Your Secret Weapons

Soft surfaces—curtains, carpets, people—absorb sound, reducing reverb and echo. Hard surfaces do the opposite. Diffusion, meanwhile, scatters sound in different directions, helping to eliminate hotspots and dead zones. Combining absorption and diffusion is the key to a balanced sound experience.

Quick tip: Clap your hands in an empty venue. If you hear a sharp ‘slap’ or a drawn-out echo, you’ll likely need to treat the space acoustically or adjust your sound system.

Acoustics by Event Type and Setting

Let’s break it down further by event type and location.

Live Music and Concerts

• Indoors: Concert halls are built for sound, but gyms and exhibition centres are not. Use line array speakers for controlled sound dispersion and avoid pushing volume too high to combat poor acoustics—it only makes the problem worse.
• Outdoors: No walls = no natural amplification. Use multiple speaker towers and subwoofers to project over distance. Be mindful of wind, weather, and local noise regulations.

Conferences and Speaking Engagements

• Prioritise speech intelligibility. Echoes and reverberation must be minimised.
• Use lapel or headset mics for presenters. Add fill speakers to large rooms to maintain consistent volume.
• Always conduct a soundcheck to catch feedback issues or uneven coverage.

Weddings and Ceremonies

• Ceremonies: Churches and chapels are visually stunning but often acoustically tricky. Use directional mics and place speakers close to the audience to minimise reverb.
• Receptions: Balance is key. Background music or ambient entertainment should set the mood without drowning out conversation. For speeches, make sure every guest—not just the front tables—can hear clearly.

Corporate Events and Galas

• Start with clarity for speeches from MCS, guest speakers, keynote speakers etc and presentations. Gooseneck or handheld mics are reliable.
• Transition to musicians or entertainment with flexible sound zoning—louder on the dance floor, softer near networking areas.
• Test any video content to ensure the sound is punchy and free from distortion.

Equipment Essentials for Great Sound

Speakers: From Compact to Concert-Grade

• Small rooms: Use point-source PA speakers or column arrays for subtlety and clarity.
• Large venues or outdoors: Line arrays offer superior reach and even coverage. Add subwoofers to handle bass frequencies effectively.

Microphones: Match the Tool to the Voice

• Handhelds for audience interaction and toasts.
• Lavalier (lapel) mics for officiants and speakers.
• Headsets for energetic presenters who need freedom to move.
• Always carry backups and use windshields for outdoor mics.

Acoustic Treatments: Fixing the Room Fast

• Temporary panels, curtains, drapes, and even tablecloths help absorb sound.
• For DIY improvement, consider fabric banners or thick décor elements.
• In echo-prone venues, aim speakers away from reflective surfaces and towards the audience.

Tips for Event Planners: Acoustics That Impress

• Do a walk-through: Clap, speak, and listen from various points in the room.
• Use a pro AV team: They’ll fine-tune levels, manage EQ, and stop issues before they start.
• Test everything live: Not just mics—run videos, cue music, and simulate real usage.
• Distribute sound evenly: Avoid blasting volume from one direction. Multiple, well-placed speakers are always better.
• Account for people: A full room sounds very different from an empty one. Plan accordingly.

If They Can’t Hear It, They Can’t Feel It

Sound is the invisible thread that ties your event together. It tells your story, moves your guests, and leaves a lasting impression—if it’s done right. With just a bit of acoustic awareness and smart planning, you can create an event where every word lands, every note resonates, and no one misses a moment.

So next time you’re planning an event, don’t just think about what people will see. Think about what they’ll hear. Because when it comes to making an event unforgettable, sound is everything. Reach out to us today for further information.