Acoustics First

Overview

Acoustics First Corporation designs, manufactures, and distributes acoustical panels, soundproofing materials, sound absorbers, diffusers, noise barriers, and vibration control devices for controlling sound in commercial, residential, government, and institutional applications worldwide.¹²³ The company serves construction, design, and acoustical engineering professionals, emphasizing over 30 years of expertise and patented products like the Art Diffusor®.¹³ As an independent, employee-owned business founded in 1997, it provides design assistance alongside standard acoustical items and accessories.¹²

History

Acoustics First Corporation was founded in 1997 in Richmond, Virginia, as a woman-owned business by Rebecca A. Colleran, who brought 18 years of experience supplying acoustical materials.²⁹ Its principals began in the 1970s by building custom acoustical solutions for a professional recording studio and later introduced anechoic wedge foam to the audio industry in the early 1980s.⁴ In 2000, the company acquired patents and trademarks from an established acoustical manufacturer, enabling production of unique devices and subsequent development of new patented products.² It has grown into an international supplier for facilities including studios, offices, theaters, and government sites worldwide.²⁴

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Acoustics First maintains sales and distribution in Richmond, VA, with contract manufacturing facilities throughout the US.² The company manufactures its own patented acoustical products in-house where tooling allows, acquired in 2000, and supplies standard items like Owens Corning products.²⁴

Notable Products

• Art Diffusor® - Patented quadratic diffuser for even sound dispersion in studios and auditoriums.
• Auralex-style Foam Wedges - Anechoic acoustical foam for broadband absorption in recording and broadcast rooms.
• Resilient Clips - Isolation clips for decoupling walls and ceilings to reduce vibration transmission.
• Fabric Covered Fiberglass Absorbers - Custom absorbers for speech intelligibility and music reproduction.
• High-Mass Barrier Walls - Soundproofing barriers using mass-loaded vinyl for noise isolation.

Reputation

Acoustics First is recognized by acoustical professionals for its patented innovations like the Art Diffusor® and long-term supply relationships, such as being a major OEM for Owens Corning.² It holds a solid reputation for quality in studios, theaters, and commercial installations worldwide, backed by over 25 years in business and BBB accreditation.⁹ Some sources note its small scale with under 25 employees, which may limit production volume compared to larger competitors.¹³