GIK Amplitude Acoustic Treatments: Style and Substance?

No matter how good your audio gear is, the room itself has the power to make or break the sound quality you can achieve in your stereo or home theater system. If you ignore room acoustics, you will likely be treated to uneven frequency response, harsh or muffled high frequencies, bloated and boomy bass, and any number of colorations and artifacts that get in the way of the audio experience we’re all striving for. A well-treated room makes dialogue more intelligible and music more emotionally impactful. When music sounds clearer, more powerful, and more nuanced, you are brought closer to the artist’s intent. When a home theater system can sonically disappear, you’re drawn deeper into the movie itself. Many audiophiles are happy to debate the virtues of various amplifier types, DAC chips, or loudspeaker drivers, but shy away from tackling the admittedly complex job of properly treating their listening rooms. One obstacle is the fact that it’s hard to achieve ideal results without a fair amount of knowhow — you can’t just haphazardly throw acoustic treatment around the room. But just as significant is the reality that many acoustic treatments are rather ugly, and most of us (and the people we live with) would rather not make the living room look like a recording studio. It is with all of this in mind that GIK Acoustics, a global leader in acoustic treatment solutions, has introduced its new Amplitude line. This new generation of acoustic treatment panels aims to “combine GIK’s trusted performance with a bold, refined aesthetic,” according to the company.

GIK Acoustics provides bass traps, acoustic panels, diffusers, and modular systems for studios and commercial environments, but those products aren’t necessarily the best choice for domestic applications, where aesthetics play a significant role in deciding which products do or do not make it into the space. Whether you’re trying to improve the sound of a high-end listening room, a dedicated home theater, or just the family room, GIK says that its new Amplitude line delivers the same acoustic reliability the company is known for while introducing a new, patented “recessed plate” technology. This new technology reportedly improves both the efficacy and the curb appeal of the products. In these panels, the new recessed plate sits flush with the frame, creating “crisp lines and a sleeker profile” compared with GIK’s earlier hybrid diffusion products from its Alpha and Impression series. The panels are also available in new patterns that give them a contemporary edge, “complementing both modern studio builds and high-end living spaces where visual impact is as important as sonic accuracy,” according to GIK. The Amplitude products replace both the outgoing Alpha and Impression lines, and incorporate years of customer feedback, according to the company.

Our mission with Amplitude was to take everything we’ve learned over the past two decades and push panel design forward. The recessed plate is not just an aesthetic choice; it also improves the acoustic behavior of the panel significantly. The result is panels that look striking, but more importantly, give creators and listeners a room they can trust.

— David Shevyn, Chief Product Officer, GIK Acoustics

The collection includes three categories of products:

1.     Amplitude Acoustic Panels are a versatile, broadband solution combining absorption and diffusion in a slim format just 2 inches thick. Starting at $99 each, these panels should help tame reflections without over-absorbing high frequencies. GIK says that they “enhance clarity while keeping your space vibrant and natural.”

2.     Amplitude Bass Trap Panels are engineered to target low-frequency build-up, improving definition in the critical range below 100Hz. These are thicker than the slimline Acoustic Panels, and owing to the additional materials required, they cost a bit more, starting at $129 each. Available in 4-inch, 6-inch, or 8-inch thickness, they absorb down to below 100 Hz, 80 Hz, or 60 Hz, respectively. These panels “provide targeted bass control while scattering mids and highs for balanced, natural sound,” according to GIK Acoustics.

3.     Amplitude Corner Bass Traps are designed to maximize efficiency where rooms need it most, delivering broadband control in corners. GIK says that these corner traps don’t just control bass; they also manage reflections and “add visual depth with precision-engineered slotted faceplates.” Starting at $209 each, they are stackable to any ceiling height.

All products are finished in premium Camira fabrics, which GIK says are regarded as the best acoustic textiles available. Some of these fabrics are designed to be acoustically transparent, while others are engineered to improve sound absorption. GIK describes the Camira Cara fabric choice as a premium, acoustically-transparent fabric designed for wall panels, acoustic treatments, and other interior applications. Its durable weave provides excellent sound permeability while offering a stylish, professional finish, according to GIK. We’re told that the fabric is engineered to be highly breathable, ensuring air flow passes cleanly through to the absorber behind it, while offering a small amount of additional absorption itself. This reportedly makes it ideal for use on the Amplitude line of bass traps and diffusor/absorber hybrids. (It is not recommended for speaker grilles, however, because it does provide enough absorption to muffle the high frequencies coming from a tweeter.) Cara is made from 100% polypropylene, a fiber chosen for strength, resilience, and ease of maintenance, according to GIK. It’s reportedly resistant to wear, fading, and stretching. GIK also offers fabrics from the Guilford of Maine Collection by Duvaltex, available by special request. These are more costly than the Camira fabrics, and their performance is similar. But because previous GIK products used Guilford of Maine, the company still makes them available for customers wanting to add products to existing spaces. By offering these additional fabrics, GIK also gives designers more choices when crafting the look of a space. There are 20 different Camira fabrics/colors available, and 12 different panel patterns. There also 5 finishes to choose from: Beech, Walnut, Grey Elm, Black, and White. Panels are offered in 4 shapes/sizes: Square, Narrow, Portrait, and Rectangle. The Corner Bass Traps are offered in Standard height or Demi (half-height).

Every GIK product is tested at the University of Salford in England, following BS EN ISO 354:2003 standards. GIK says that this scientific approach not only ensures complete transparency in how its products perform, but also drives the company’s R&D process. GIK offers free expert advice to help you achieve the best possible results in your space.

More information: GIK Acoustics