ViDENIE VENUE ACOUSTICS AND IMMERSIVE SOUND SYSTEM DESIGN
Earlier this year, Acoustic Waves was commissioned by Phormatik, one of Sofia’s leading visual studios, to design the acoustic environment and define the optimal surround sound system configuration for ViDENIE — the first immersive venue in Bulgaria dedicated to digital arts, new media, and experimental forms of expression.
With a ceiling height exceeding 5.2 meters and large glass atriums across its surface, this venue quickly became one of the most acoustically challenging projects we have ever undertaken. The space was intended for 360° projection mapping, which meant that all wall surfaces had to remain untreated and reflective. Our initial measurements revealed reverberation times close to 3 seconds — nearly four times higher than the professional norm for a 700 m³ venue — resulting in a sound field perceived as overly reflective and diffuse, often described as a “glass box.”
Given the architectural constraints, we focused exclusively on treating the vertical sound field — the ceiling. A combination of perforated absorbers, selectively tuned low-frequency membranes, and broadband panels was installed to control reflections and improve clarity across the spectrum. Extensive acoustic simulations and auralizations were carried out to evaluate different system configurations — from Quadro to 6.1 and 9.1 setups — as well as various brands and models.
The final decision was to implement a 6.2 immersive system, selected from available commercial solutions, balancing the client’s budget and the need for controlled dispersion. The system’s layout, specifications, and aiming angles were designed by our team to ensure that the energy was directed primarily toward the absorptive floor area and the audience, while minimizing excitation of the surrounding reflective walls and avoiding comb filtering and echo effects.
After the proper installation of all acoustic treatments and the surround speakers of choice, the sound system was professionally measured and also tuned by our colleagues Sound Mind. The measurements showed that the acoustic treatments and the narrow dispersion sound system have reduced the venue's reverberation nearly 4 times, reaching the aimed 0.8 seconds and ensuring optimal acoustic conditions for the space.
This is what Mr. Vladislav Iliev, co-creator of ViDENIE, shared with us two months after the project was completed and the space opened its doors to the audience:
"We’re extremely happy with the work of the studio – from the acoustic treatment and material selection to the precise calculations and software tests. The team showed exceptional professionalism at every stage, carefully overseeing the installation process and ensuring every detail met the plan. In the end, the room sounded exactly as predicted — we transformed a reverberant “glass box” into an amazing hall for immersive spatial sound. Highly recommended!"
The ViDENIE project demonstrates how acoustic design can adapt to extreme architectural limitations and still achieve clarity, balance, and immersion. It stands as a unique example of sound and visual art coexisting in a shared creative space — a new direction for Bulgaria’s evolving media environment.
