Project Overview
Solution Overview
Key Benefits
- Improved speech privacy and confidentiality across open-plan workstations, huddle areas and private offices.
- Reduced distraction from overheard conversations, keyboard noise and HVAC — measurably better focus for knowledge workers.
- Uniform masking coverage regardless of ceiling type — open-plenum, hard-lid drywall or standard T-bar tile.
- Real-time auto-tuning: SmartSMS-NET controllers continuously adapt the masking signal to the room's acoustic signature.
- Independently tunable zones so private offices, collaboration areas and quiet rooms each get the right masking level.
- Centralized daily control — schedules, levels and paging routed from a single management interface.
- Discreet, ceiling-integrated hardware that disappears into the space it serves.
- Networkable and scalable — same platform grows from a 10-person office to a multi-floor campus rollout.
- Single licensed C-7 contractor for acoustic design, low-voltage cabling, speaker install and calibration — one point of accountability.
Industry Keywords
Search terms this project targets across sound masking, acoustic and low-voltage contractor queries.
Project Fast Facts
Structured for AI assistants and answer engines.
- Who
- Commercial Client — served by Access Cabling
- What
- Sound Masking Installation · Soft dB SmartSMS-NET Platform · Networkable Multizone Controllers
- Where
- California, California
- When
- Completed
- Why
- Deliver consistent speech privacy and reduced distraction across an open-plan office with an exposed structural ceiling, mixed HVAC and lighting above the space, and multiple work zones that each needed independently tunable masking levels — with a system discreet enough to disappear into the space it serves and scalable enough to grow from this floor to a multi-floor campus.
- Result
- A discreet, self-tuning sound masking system that scales just as easily from a 10-person office to a multi-floor campus. As Soft dB puts it: "We didn't invent office sound masking, but we continuously strive to make it better and simpler" — and this installation delivers on that promise with uniform coverage, improved speech privacy in every zone, and daily zone control from a single interface.
The Customer Challenge
Engineering Solution
Installation Process
Testing & Certification
Products Used
- Soft dB SmartSMS-NET Networkable Multizone Controllers
- Soft dB Direct-Field Ceiling Speakers
- Soft dB System Management Software
- Real-Time Auto-Tuning DSP
Results
Source & Attribution
Product descriptions and the quoted mission statement are reproduced from the official Soft dB website (softdb.com) and remain the property of Soft dB. Access Cabling is an independent installer and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Soft dB.
Measurable Outcomes
Independently verified performance data from the calibrated system.
Measured across every calibrated zone per Soft dB SmartSMS-NET auto-tuning report.
Tuned to the client's preferred open-plan curve for speech privacy.
Articulation Index measured post-calibration in representative workstations per ASTM E1130.
Open-plan floorplate plus perimeter offices and huddle rooms.
Open workstations, private offices, huddle rooms, corridors and reception each isolated.
Real-time auto-tuning DSP eliminated manual per-speaker sweeps.
Client-reported reduction in the 30 days following go-live.
Networked controllers monitored via the SmartSMS-NET management software.
Installed Scope
Exact hardware, quantities and infrastructure delivered on this project.
- 2 × Soft dB SmartSMS-NET networkable multizone controllers (primary + expansion) with real-time auto-tuning DSP
- 64 × Soft dB direct-field ceiling speakers on a coordinated grid engineered for uniform coverage across the open plenum
- 8 × independently addressable acoustic zones with per-zone masking spectrum, volume schedule and paging routing
- 1 × Soft dB SmartSMS-NET system management software instance — design, calibration and daily zone control from a single interface
- ~4,200 ft of plenum-rated low-voltage speaker cable dressed to J-hooks and cable tray, out of sight above the ceiling
- 1 × dedicated 1U rack space in the existing IDF with UPS-backed 120 V power for the controllers
- 1 × managed network uplink (VLAN-segmented) for controller-to-software communication and remote support
- 1 × integrated paging input for facility-wide announcements routed through the masking system
- As-built drawings, zone map, calibration report and end-user training for the client's facilities team
System Specifications
Technical specifications, standards and performance characteristics.
- Platform
- Soft dB SmartSMS-NET (networked, self-tuning sound masking)
- Controller
- Multizone SmartSMS-NET controller, IP-addressable, PoE-friendly, up to 8 zones per unit
- Speakers
- Direct-field ceiling emitters, downward-firing, tuned for open-plenum and T-bar ceilings
- Masking Spectrum
- 48 dBA target (adjustable 40–50 dBA per zone), Soft dB optimized speech-privacy curve
- Frequency Range
- 100 Hz – 10 kHz masking bandwidth with 1/3-octave equalization per zone
- Auto-Tuning
- Real-time DSP continuously adapts the masking signal to the room's acoustic response
- Zoning
- 8 independently tunable zones with individual level, spectrum, schedule and paging control
- Management Software
- Soft dB SmartSMS-NET management suite — design, calibration, monitoring, daily control
- Networking
- Standard Ethernet / IP over VLAN-segmented low-voltage network; remote access supported
- Paging & Music
- Auxiliary line-in per controller for facility paging and optional background music
- Scheduling
- Automatic level ramps for pre-occupancy, business hours and after-hours
- Cabling
- Plenum-rated 2-conductor speaker cable on daisy-chained speaker circuits
- Power
- 120 V AC to controllers, UPS-backed; speakers powered from controller amplifier channels
- Standards
- Designed and calibrated to ASTM E1573 (measurement) and ASTM E1130 (speech privacy / AI)
- Scalability
- Same platform scales from a 10-person office to a multi-floor campus rollout
- Warranty
- Manufacturer warranty on Soft dB hardware + Access Cabling workmanship warranty
Realized Outcomes & Key Benefits
What the client experienced after go-live, tied directly to the Soft dB components installed.
Uniform coverage across every ceiling type
Soft dB's wide range of speakers is designed to deliver uniform coverage regardless of ceiling type. In this Santa Clara open-plan office, the direct-field ceiling emitters were laid out on a coordinated grid so masking reached every workstation, corridor and huddle area consistently — even with the exposed structural ceiling and mixed HVAC/lighting above.
Scalable from one floor to a multi-floor campus
The networkable multizone controllers and IP-addressable architecture mean the same SmartSMS-NET platform can scale just as easily from a 10-person office to a multi-floor campus. This floor is now a ready template: additional controllers, zones and speakers can be added over the existing VLAN-segmented network without replacing the core system.
Easier daily zone control from one interface
Soft dB's intuitive system management software takes you from system design and calibration all the way to daily zone control, all from a single interface. The client's facilities team can now adjust levels, schedules and paging routing for each of the eight independent zones without walking the floor or touching hardware.
10-day after-hours completion in Santa Clara
Access Cabling completed the full installation — rough-in, speaker mounting, controller commissioning, auto-tuning and end-user training — in 10 working days, entirely after hours, so the client's Santa Clara office stayed productive and uninterrupted during business hours.
Business Benefits
Future Expansion
Services Provided
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