One is called Artnovion and hails from Portugal. It offers panels with a parametric design that can be arranged to flow along the wall “morphing and unfolding according to your point of view,” the company says.

There are five different panels in this series, finished in wood and acoustic fabric, to create differing patterns. These have an effective absorption range starting at 250 Hertz and extending to 5000 Hertz to scatter mid-range sound, and they’re most effective in rooms with mid and high-frequency issues. In my friend’s parlance that’s rooms lacking art.

Artnovion’s website, www.artnovion.com, is a ripper. If you’re at all interested in reading some brief and simple explanations of how sound works go there. There are demonstrations as well.

The other manufacturer is Sonitus, from Croatia. Importer Geoff Mathews says the brand offers “a multitude of colours, thicknesses and designs to allow a wide variety of acoustic treatment solutions, including absorbers, diffusers and bass traps.” But what is particularly appealing is the magnetic fastening system. Panels are readily removable and relocatable. If your listening room is suddenly required as a nursery and the only option for the stereo is the shed, well it could be the best sounding shed in the street.

The Sonitus website, www.sonitusacoustics.eu, has a collection of installation pictures that range from reserved and conservative to dead scary. It may be best not to show them to a life partner who’s on the timid side or you may wind up like my friend.

You’ll need professional guidance in what and how much treatment your room needs, and every room is different. Dealers handling Artnovion panels are typically packaging home theatres with room treatments from around $10,000 and stereo music systems with a panel package from around $7000, but probably $10,000 is more realistic.

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