Can I Put Acoustic Panels Behind My TV?

One of the most popular ways to use acoustic panels is to install them behind a TV to enhance the sound quality of your favourite shows and movies.

One of the most common ways to use acoustic panels is to install them behind a TV.

So, if you’re wondering whether adding an acoustic enhancement between the wall and your TV using panels is possible, it certainly is! Acoustic panels can also enhance the sound quality within similar audio visual environments such as home cinemas or video conferencing rooms.

At WoodWall, our acoustic panels are purpose-built for installation behind any kind of TV or media set-up.

Here are some of the benefits of installing acoustic panels behind TVs, plus what your home or commercial environment will gain from doing so.

Why Install Acoustic Panels Behind TVs Or Speakers?

In recent times, acoustic slatted wood wall panels have become a popular fixture when installed behind TV units. Beyond adding aesthetic beauty, there are functional reasons as to why acoustic panels make a great addition to any sound-making device in your home or commercial environment.

That’s because instead of the sound hitting the hard surface of the walls and creating an echo or reverb in response, the sound is instead absorbed by the panels creating a more pleasant audible experience.

Discover why acoustic panels make such a difference with the following top benefits.

Improve The Sound Quality

According to Statista, the average person in the UK spends between £300 and £400 on the cost of a new TV. However, smart 4K TVs can cost thousands, with LG OLED TVs on sale for as much as £29,000.

Regardless of how high-spec your television is, you want to ensure that you enjoy it to its full potential. After all, even a crystal clear picture quality cannot make up for poor sound, especially if any music or dialogue echoes around the room.

Typically, we install our televisions on hard surfaces such as brick, concrete or wood. As a result, the sound quality can bounce around the room, creating an echo or reverberation.

Acoustic wall panels are designed to absorb some of this sound energy to deflect it back into the room, enhancing the way that your TV sounds. The same effect can also be enjoyed if you install acoustic panels behind another type of media or gaming device, such as speakers that are distributed throughout the room.

Reduce Sound Transfer Through The Walls

While acoustic panels including acoustic slat wood wall panels are not designed to offer full soundproofing, their thick material backing does reduce the transfer of sound through the wall to a degree. This is especially the case compared with a TV or speaker that has been installed directly onto a wall, which means the sound easily transfers through it.

However, if you want to soundproof a wall, particularly a party wall or media room, then you may wish to do so first in the traditional way. You can then add acoustic panels as a finishing touch to provide an extra level of sound reduction. This method will also ensure the finished result quite literally looks as good as it sounds!

Enhanced Aesthetics

Watching TV is supposed to be an immersive experience. However, the walls behind your TV may prove distracting or simply look too bland. Acoustic wall panels, particularly those featuring a slat wood design offer just the right amount of visual interest to draw the eye, creating a striking focal feature in the room.

You can also choose to add additional panels throughout the room or the rest of your home. In addition, slat wood panels can be installed vertically or horizontally, allowing you to choose what works best for your space.

Acoustic Panels Vs Soundproofing: What’s The Difference?

Both acoustic panels and soundproofing materials are related to sound, but what each does is very different. Crucially, it’s not a case of one being better than the other, but rather the need to select the option that will help you solve your particular issue.

Acoustic panels work to improve the acoustics of the room by dampening reverb or echo. This means that when placed behind a TV or sound system, acoustic panels help absorb and therefore soften the sound. Various types of acoustic panels exist. However, the acoustic slat wood wall panels that we sell here at WoodWall have the additional benefit of upgrading the aesthetics of the room.

Soundproofing is when you take measures to vastly reduce if not completely prevent sound from being able to travel through a wall. Typically, this involves identifying so-called ‘weak spots’ within the wall or room and applying additional layers of insulation to the wall so that the sound cannot be heard on the other side of the wall.

When Would You Need To Use Acoustic Panels?

Whenever you want to enhance the sound of your TV, media room, gaming room or speakers, you can apply acoustic panels directly behind them. Also, if the room is prone to reverb or echo and you want to reduce this. You may also want to gain the visual benefits of an attractive wall covering option which acoustic panels can also provide.

When Would You Need To Soundproof?

If you want to block noise that is coming through from next door. Or, if you want to ensure that any noise you make doesn’t travel through the wall to disturb anyone else.

Be aware that to achieve complete soundproofing, you often need to consider the floors, ceilings and windows along with any other surface that allows sound to travel in or out of the room. Therefore, professional soundproofing can be complex and costly to achieve.

How To Install A TV To A Wall With Acoustic Panelling?

We recommend consulting our installation guide to understand how to install your acoustic wall panels. From there, installing the TV over acoustic slatted wall panels simply involves the use of a bracket which will be attached to the panels. Once the bracket has been drilled into the panels, your TV can then be securely fixed in place.

Where Else Can Acoustic Slatted Wall Panels Be Installed?

Acoustic wall panels with wooden vertical slats can be installed anywhere where there is a need to reduce reverb and echo in the space. In addition, where you also want to add an instant style statement due to the contemporary visual aesthetic of this type of acoustic wall panel.

At WoodWall, our customers purchase our acoustic slatted wall panels for a variety of residential and commercial projects. Beyond placing our panels behind a TV, they are also ideal for the likes of bedrooms, restaurants, hallways, reception areas, offices or living rooms.

Handy Finishing Touches To Consider

When installing slat wood wall panels to improve the acoustics, you already get the added benefit of an instant style statement. However, you may want to take the opportunity to go all out to create a show-stopping installation by adding accessories around your panels.

For instance, running LED strip lighting along the bottom of the panels can create a beautiful backlit effect. Alternatively, it’s possible to integrate hooks and shelving around the panels to create additional functionality, plus provide storage for those media devices or remotes.

We’ve also seen an acoustic panel wall that features a TV up top and a recessed fireplace installed underneath. This demonstrates just how flexible acoustic panels can be, creating endless options to customise your home or commercial space.

You can also get some inspiration on how to use acoustic panels by checking out the WoodWall inspiration gallery.

Acoustic Panels Behind TV FAQs

Have any questions about installing an acoustic wall panel behind a TV or media unit? We’ve answered some of the most popular queries below.

If you are looking to purchase acoustic panels on our website but still need some more help, feel free to reach out to the WoodWall customer support team directly.

Can You Hang A TV On Acoustic Panels?

Absolutely! This setup has become increasingly popular in recent years as homeowners pay careful attention to the acoustics of the room. Once your acoustic panels are installed, it is very straightforward to add a bracket and mount your TV onto the panels. Hanging a TV on acoustic panels is highly recommended if you want to enhance the sound of your favourite movies or shows, along with the acoustics of the room itself.

How To Reduce TV Noise Through Walls?

The only way to reduce the ability for sound to travel through a wall is by adding extra layers to the wall, specifically soundproofing materials that offer a decibel reduction. This kind of measure would be ideal if you are looking to block out the sound of the neighbour’s TV from coming through your wall.

If the TV is on your side of the wall, you can also opt for soundproofing boards. In addition, acoustic wall panels will offer a degree of noise reduction as you are placing a layer of sound absorbing material between your TV and the wall.

What Is The Difference Between Acoustic Panels And Soundproofing?

Acoustic panels enhance the sound quality of the room by reducing the likes of echo or reverberation. In contrast, soundproofing involves preventing the transmission of sound through a wall.

Do Acoustic Panels Reduce Noise Through Walls?

Yes, acoustic panels will reduce the noise from travelling through the wall to a degree, due to the soft material backing. That said, acoustic panels are not designed as a complete soundproofing measure, as they instead work to enhance the sound quality of the room.

Should I Cover All Walls With Acoustic Panels?

The amount of wall coverage you want to opt for with acoustic panels is entirely up to you. However, in terms of improving the acoustics for your TV and sound systems, applying the panels on the same wall as your speakers should suffice.