libra acoustic image system
sight + sound + space = ambience
libra acoustic image system
Two senses, one sensation
Patented design for spaces large and small
Intimate, Open, Subdued, Lively, Articulate, Engaging,
Balanced, Serene
The Libra Acoustic Image System is a patented design that
ensures results precisely tailored to the venue requirements.
All Libra panels meet specified sound absorption characteristics.
These terms could describe the visual aesthetic of an
architectural space. Yet these same words also could apply
to the acoustical ambience of the same room.
Ideally, a room’s appearance and acoustical signature work
together to common effect. Eye and ear sense a symmetry when
a room’s aural and visual sensations are in harmony.
Libra is constructed with a robust, three-inch extruded aluminum
frame with welded corners for uncompromising sturdiness. The
frame is specially designed to maintain optimum tension for the
high-resolution printed image throughout the life of the panel.
The printing process uses only the highest quality inks to ensure
the stability of color, contrast and image detail over time.
Achieving this effect, consistently and creatively, is the goal
of Libra—a vibrant new approach to the art and science of
acoustics from Meyer Sound Laboratories.
Libra panels are available in four standard sizes from 4' x 5'
(1.21 m x 1.5 m) up to an extraordinary 10' x 14' (3.04 m x 4.26 m).
Custom sizes are also available.
airports
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retail
libra acoustic image system
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atria
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restaurants & bars
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offices
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meeting &
Artistic Direction: Deborah O’Grady
The artistic director for Libra is renowned San Francisco Bay
Area photographer Deborah O’Grady. Known for her stunning
landscape photographs, O’Grady has exhibited her works at a
number of West Coast museums and conference centers.
In addition to offering her own images, many on an exclusive
basis, O’Grady is curating an extensive library of images
from associates and other sources. Her valuable consultation
will ensure that images selected for Libra will support all
other architectural and design elements for optimum visual
enhancement of the space.
Holistic Sound: Three Elements
Libra is the first passive acoustical system from Meyer Sound, a
company renowned for more than three decades as a technology
innovator in sound reinforcement and active acoustics.
conference rooms
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museums
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Meyer Sound’s direct reinforcement systems can be found at
Vienna’s Musikverein concert hall, in Broadway and Las Vegas
productions, and in concerts with artists as varied as the The
New York Philharmonic, Rod Stewart and Metallica.
Meyer Sound also developed the Constellation acoustic system,
a suite of technologies that applies advanced digital processing,
ambient sensing microphones and multiple miniature loudspeakers to create variable acoustic signatures with stunningly
natural effect. Notable venues employing Constellation include
the Svetlanov Concert Hall in Moscow, the Kanbar Forum at San
Francisco’s Exploratorium, and Nokia Theatre in Tallinn, Estonia.
With Libra, Meyer Sound becomes the only company to offer
a holistic approach integrating all three elements of sound in
enclosed architectural spaces: direct reinforcement, Constellation
active acoustics and Libra passive acoustics.
residences
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manufacturing facilities
libra acoustic image system
restaurants, bars and hospitality
Restaurants and bars present an extraordinary acoustical
challenge. Operators strive to strike the perfect balance between
a lively “buzz” and sufficient intimacy and separation to enable
intelligible private conversation. The balance that works at the
bar may be inappropriate for tables across the room, and a
“buzz” that is overbearing for a noon business lunch may be
insufficient for the late night lounge crowd.
With Libra and, when appropriate, Constellation, Meyer Sound
offers an acoustically innovative and visually striking solution.
Libra panels, properly deployed on the walls, deaden annoying
late reverberations while permitting a balance of early reflections
Comal Restaurant, Berkeley, California
libra acoustic image system
for good local intelligibility. When necessary, the effects of Libra
can be supplemented by appropriate carpeting, furnishings and
acoustically absorptive ceiling treatments.
For hospitality venues that wish to vary the acoustical signature
of the space, Meyer Sound offers a special variant of the
Constellation acoustic system. Working with a relatively subdued
acoustic baseline, Constellation allows the operator to “dial up
the buzz” in a subtle manner that maintains an energetic room
ambience while still allowing intimate private conversations.
Cafés & casual performance spaces
The café demands an acoustical signature that is controlled
but never lifeless. And when the café doubles as a casual
performance space, extra absorption around the stage area and
on opposite walls is critical to allow patrons to either listen to
the music or carry on intimate conversation.
Unlike dedicated performance spaces, where the auditorium is
darkened, these casual performance spaces usually maintain
ambient lighting at all times. Libra provides the idea solution for
rooms where the visual ambience always shares the limelight
with the acoustical environment.
Berkeley Repertory Theatre Cafe, Berkeley, California
libra acoustic image system
Offices & meeting rooms
Focus and clear communication are essential when taking care
of business. In open office spaces, a relatively dead acoustic
dampens unwanted distraction from nearby activities. In
boardrooms and meeting spaces, a balanced approach controls
excessive reverberations while allowing some early reflections to
support intelligibility.
Brower Center, Berkeley, California
libra acoustic image system
In both cases, Libra affords ample options for realizing the
desired acoustical effect while complementing the architecture
and enhancing the mood desired by the designer.
The exceptionally large panels exclusive to Libra allow the
designer to make a bold statement to set the mood in an entire
room. The large Libra panels can be particularly effective on wall
spaces left vacant behind drop-down video screens.
Meyer Sound Luna Conference Center, Berkeley, California
libra acoustic image system
residential
Libra panels are also at home in residential applications.
Larger rooms used for entertaining groups benefit from a
moderately lively acoustic realized through judicious placement
of smaller Libra panels as needed. Home theaters that also
double as socializing spaces can benefit from quite large Libra
panels, as effective cinema sound demands almost complete
absence of room reverberations.
Meyer Sound Ceres reception area (l) and lunchroom, Berkeley, California
libra acoustic image system
Institutional & light industrial
Both visual image and acoustical control are critical across
a wide range of institution and industrial activities, including
scientific research labs, medical facilities, and light fabrication
and assembly operations.
Acoustical control—beyond that mandated by occupational
safety regulations—improves communication among
employees and lessens worker fatigue. The end result is
improved productivity.
Libra panels provide the added benefit of an inspiring and
uplifting visual experience. The quality of Libra imagery reflects
the importance a company places on the quality of the
workplace experience.
Early Libra prototype at Meyer Sound Phoebe Manufacturing Facility in Berkeley, California
libra acoustic image system
Sample images from Deborah O’Grady’s portfolio
libra acoustic image system
Integrated solutions:
a Meyer Sound advantage
Meyer Sound’s breadth of experience is unique in the disciplines of audio and
acoustics. With an expert staff that includes senior acoustical engineers, acousticians, design services, education and technical support, no other manufacturer can
offer the same level of expertise across the full range of audio technologies.
technical specifications
Acoustical
Libra exhibits the following acoustical properties according to independent
laboratory tests.
Octave Band
125
250
500
1000
2000
4000
NRC
SAA
Absorption Coefficient
0.30
0.68
1.05
1.11
0.97
0.69
0.95
0.93
The noise reduction coefficient (NRC) is the average of the coefficients at 250,
500, 1000, and 2000 Hz, expressed to the nearest integral multiple of 0.05.
The sound absorption average (SAA) is a single number rating, the average
rounded to the nearest 0.01, of the sound absorption coefficient of a material for
the twelve one-third octave bands from 200 Hz through 2500 Hz, inclusive.
size
4’ w x 5’ h x 3” d (1.21 m x 1.5 m x 76.2 mm)
5’ w x 7’ h x 3” d (1.5 m x 2.13 m x 76.2 mm)
8’ w x 10’ h x 3” d (2.43 m x 3.04 m x 76.2 mm)
10’ w x 14’ h x 3” d (3.04 m x 4.26 m x 76.2 mm)
Custom sizes available. Maximum 10’ (3.04 m) width.
Materials and safety
• Extruded aluminum frame with welded corners
• Acoustical absorption material is made from 100% recycled material for
environmental sustainability
• Class A fire rated to UL 723/ASTM E84 test method
about meyer sound
Established by John and Helen Meyer in 1979, Meyer Sound Laboratories
designs and manufactures self-powered sound reinforcement loudspeakers,
digital audio processing and show control systems, cinema sound systems,
active and passive acoustic systems, and precision audio measurement tools.
The company headquarters and manufacturing facilities occupy a multi-building
campus in Berkeley, California that includes large sections of the Mediterraneanstyled H.J. Heinz Building (completed in 1928.)
libra acoustic image system
libra acoustic image system
2832 San Pablo Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94702
T: +1 510.486.1166
www.meyersound.com
Copyright © 2014 Meyer Sound
Berkeley Repertory Theatre Cafe Architects: Marcy Wong Donn Logan Architects
Photos: Cesar Rubio and Meyer Sound
Libra is a trademark of Meyer Sound. Constellation, Meyer Sound, and the Meyer Sound wave logo are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, as well
18.908.036.01 A 1405
as in other countries. All third-party trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners. Patents pending.