For a recent project, Ultracoustic was tasked with designing a home cinema for a diplomat’s family that was as visually striking as it was acoustically flawless. The client’s brief was clear: the space should maintain a minimalist, modern aesthetic while hiding all speakers and providing high-end functionality. The design also had to incorporate a pantry without sacrificing audio quality. The leadership team of Ultracoustic – comprising founders Ameet and Roohi Bharadwaj, and Bhuvan Sachdeva, Director of the MEA region – notes that the key challenge was maintaining a balance across the entire audio spectrum, particularly ensuring that high frequencies weren’t over-absorbed in comparison to the bass.
Ultracoustic achieved the desired sound balance by thoughtfully selecting a mix of acoustic panels and installing the Ultracoustic Horizon broadband absorbers on parts of the walls and ceiling to manage a broad range of frequencies. The company also strategically placed wooden-finished Ultracoustic Flute hybrid panels to achieve the diffusion of high frequencies and the absorption of mid-range sounds. This preserved the room’s ‘liveliness’, preventing a dull, ‘boxy’ feel. For the rear wall and pantry area, Ultracoustic Ultra Square panels, crafted from high-density acoustic foam, were used to eliminate flutter echoes while integrating seamlessly into the room’s design.
To ensure a cohesive, luxurious finish, the Ultracoustic team covered all the panels in a suede acoustic fabric. They stretched the fabric across profiling rails to achieve a seamless, wall-to-ceiling look. This fabric is not only visually stunning but allows the speakers to be concealed behind without compromising sound quality. The result is a chic and modern space, enhanced by concealed lighting and a duo-tone finish that exudes serenity.
As more people embrace the convenience of home entertainment, the demand for premium home cinemas is rising. Sachdeva sees a growing trend where homeowners want to push the boundaries of their entertainment spaces. “Because of the rapid evolution of technology that gives access to vast catalogues of high-resolution digital formats, it’s possible for today’s enthusiast to enjoy this content in the comfort of their own space without sacrificing any of the fidelity that the studios have engineered into their star-studded content. High-quality, intimate experiences shared by family and friends around outstanding recreational tools are proven to provide much greater returns than queuing up to do the same at commonplace public venues,” he says.
Ultracoustic’s expertise has been sought after in some of the UAE’s most exclusive communities, including Mohammed Bin Rashid City District One, Dubai Hills, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Nad Al Sheba, Yas Island and Nareel Island. Whether it’s building a cutting-edge cinema for a high-profile diplomat or ensuring neighbours remain undisturbed during a movie marathon, Ultracoustic continues to raise the bar for acoustic solutions in luxury homes.
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