Lateral transfer

January 15, 2026

1/15/26

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Nyquist Team

Have you ever heard your neighbor, even though the wall separating your apartments is thick and solid? This is a classic example of a situation where sound finds an alternative path, bypassing the main barrier. Lateral transmission is a phenomenon that can ruin even the best-designed sound insulation.

Professional Definition

Side transmission is the transmission of acoustic energy from the transmitting room to the receiving room by means other than a direct path through the partition separating these rooms.

In acoustical engineering, this phenomenon means that sound stimulates not only the partition wall to vibrate but also the elements adjacent to it: ceilings, side walls, and even floors. The emission of acoustic energy then occurs from these elements to the receiving room. The value of the total acoustic insulation ($R'$) is always lower than the insulation of the partition itself ($R$) precisely due to the involvement of side transmission.

Acoustics in Simple Words

Imagine a dam on a river. The dam is massive and tight (that's your partition wall), so water doesn't flow through its center. However, the ground around the dam is sandy and permeable. Water seeps into the ground on the sides and flows out on the other side, even though the dam itself remains intact. In acoustics, the

Nyquist Team

The Nyquist team is a group of enthusiasts in acoustics, design, and technology who combine engineering knowledge with aesthetic sensitivity every day. We create solutions that improve acoustic comfort and give spaces a unique character. On the blog, we share our experiences, knowledge, and inspirations drawn from our daily work on projects carried out across Poland and abroad. We believe that good acoustics is not just a technique – it’s a way of creating spaces where one simply enjoys being.

Nyquist Team

The Nyquist team is a group of enthusiasts in acoustics, design, and technology who combine engineering knowledge with aesthetic sensitivity every day. We create solutions that improve acoustic comfort and give spaces a unique character. On the blog, we share our experiences, knowledge, and inspirations drawn from our daily work on projects carried out across Poland and abroad. We believe that good acoustics is not just a technique – it’s a way of creating spaces where one simply enjoys being.

Nyquist Team

The Nyquist team is a group of enthusiasts in acoustics, design, and technology who combine engineering knowledge with aesthetic sensitivity every day. We create solutions that improve acoustic comfort and give spaces a unique character. On the blog, we share our experiences, knowledge, and inspirations drawn from our daily work on projects carried out across Poland and abroad. We believe that good acoustics is not just a technique – it’s a way of creating spaces where one simply enjoys being.

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