Acoustic slat panels are wall and ceiling panels made from slim timber-look slats over an acoustic backing, used to soften everyday echo while adding a textured, linear feature to a room. EMU Design's range covers three panel types – Oak, MDF and Flexible – in finishes from White Oak and Walnut through to Black and Black Oak, with Australia-wide shipping and free shipping on orders over $150.
These panels work by giving reflected sound somewhere to go instead of bouncing straight back off a hard, flat wall. They're a popular choice for living rooms, media rooms, bedrooms, home offices, and commercial fit-outs such as reception areas and studios. It's worth being upfront about what they don't do: acoustic slat panels manage echo and reflected sound within a room – they are not a soundproofing system, and won't stop sound travelling through to another room.
Shop Acoustic Slat Panels by Type: Oak, MDF or Flexible
EMU's acoustic slat panels are grouped into three ranges. All of them use the same slat-and-acoustic-backing construction – what changes is the colourway and, for the Flexible range, whether the panel can bend.
Oak Acoustic Slat Panels – the timber-tone colourways: White Oak, Natural Oak, Smoked Oak, Silver Oak and Walnut. Best for a warm feature wall or media wall.
Premium MDF Acoustic Slat Wall Panels – the same MDF slat-panel construction in Black, Black Oak and other contemporary tones. Suits bedrooms, offices and commercial fit-outs where a darker finish is the goal.
Flexible Acoustic Panels – a slimmer slat profile that bends around curved walls, columns and alcoves, and is well suited to media/TV wall installations.
Oak vs MDF vs Flexible: How the Ranges Compare
Here's the short version of how to choose between the three ranges, at a glance:
Range
Colourways
Panel type
Best for
Oak
White Oak, Natural Oak, Smoked Oak, Silver Oak, Walnut
Rigid MDF slat panel, wood-look finish
Feature walls, media walls
MDF
Black, Black Oak and other contemporary tones
Rigid MDF slat panel, wood-look finish
Bedrooms, offices, commercial fit-outs
Flexible
Smoked-oak tone, slim profile
Flexible slat panel
Curved walls, columns, alcoves, TV walls
Do Acoustic Slat Panels Actually Reduce Echo?
Yes – the acoustic backing behind each slat absorbs some of the sound that would otherwise bounce straight off a hard wall, which in practice means less ringing when you clap, calmer conversation, and a noticeably softer feel to a hard-surfaced room. It's a genuine improvement to how a room sounds, not a marketing claim: for the fuller explanation of what these panels can and can't do, see Do Acoustic Slat Panels Reduce Echo?
Choosing a Colour and Finish
If you're after a warm, natural look, the Oak range's timber tones – White Oak, Natural Oak, Smoked Oak, Silver Oak and Walnut – suit living areas and media walls. For a darker, more contemporary look, Black and Black Oak wall panels from the Premium MDF range work well in bedrooms, studies and commercial spaces. If your wall has a curve, column or alcove, the Flexible range's slim slat profile is the one built to bend into place.
Installing Acoustic Slat Panels
Acoustic slat panels can be installed DIY or by a trade installer, using adhesive, screws or a batten frame depending on the wall. A few of the most common installation questions:
How do I measure a wall for acoustic slat panels?
Measure the wall width and height at more than one point, and mark switches, power points and other fixtures before ordering. See the full walkthrough in How to Measure a Wall for Acoustic Panels.
What's the best adhesive for acoustic slat panels?
It depends on your wall – painted plasterboard, bare plasterboard, masonry and timber each need a different adhesive and prep. See What Is the Best Adhesive for Acoustic Slat Wall Panels? for the full breakdown by substrate.
Can acoustic slat panels be installed over a door?
Yes, as a full-wall continuation, a separate header piece or a side return, provided the panel and fixings don't interfere with the door or its hardware. Full steps in How to Install Acoustic Slat Panels Over a Door.
How do I fix an acoustic slat panel if it's come loose?
The right fix depends on the substrate and how the panel was originally fixed – see How to Fix Acoustic Slatted Panels for guidance by wall type.
How much do acoustic slat panels cost per m², installed?
For early budgeting, a straightforward installation using EMU's panel pricing and published Australian installation rates comes to roughly $100–$110 per m² before delivery, trims and wall preparation. See the full cost breakdown in Acoustic Slat Panel Cost Per Sqm.
Where Can I Use Acoustic Slat Panels?
Acoustic slat panels are an indoor product, suited to living rooms, media rooms, bedrooms, home offices, hallways and commercial spaces such as reception areas, meeting rooms and studios. EMU Design ships Australia-wide, with free shipping on orders over $150 – so whether you're in Sydney or shopping from interstate, you can order online without needing a showroom nearby.
FAQ
Do acoustic slat panels stop noise from other rooms?
No. Acoustic slat panels absorb reflected sound and reduce echo inside the room they're installed in. Stopping sound from travelling between rooms needs a different approach, such as wall insulation and sealing gaps.
Can acoustic slat panels be used outdoors?
No, EMU's acoustic slat panels are designed for indoor use only.
What sizes do acoustic slat panels come in?
Panel sizes vary by finish and range, generally around 2400–2900mm long and 600mm wide. Check the specific product page for the exact dimensions of the finish you're after.
What's the difference between the Oak, MDF and Flexible ranges?
Oak and MDF use the same rigid MDF slat-panel construction – the difference is the colourway, with Oak covering timber tones and MDF covering Black and other contemporary tones. The Flexible range uses a slimmer, bendable panel for curved walls, columns and alcoves.
How much do acoustic slat panels cost?
Panel prices in this collection start from $69, depending on finish and size. See Acoustic Slat Panel Cost Per Sqm for a full per-square-metre budgeting guide, including installation.