The sign was tempting: „Fresh catch of the day.“ Why not try an Irish Pub for a nice dinner? The food came, the Guiness tasted wonderful, but suddenly an awful loud noise swept over the place. Usually I like the Dixie Chicks and I always sing along when I listen to „Unknown soldier“. But with Fish and Chips and a friend to talk to? A Nogo.
I wished John Meyer and his wife were here and would call the owner to explain their invention: the soundbox. Recently I read about it in the „New Yorker“ and was fascinated by its effect. John Meyer is an audio engineer from California, who installs a conversation-friendly setting in different places. Sound absorbing panels are installed in the walls of the seating area, in a back room is the system’s digital processor, which can be controlled with a tablet. The reverb energy of the noise, caused by loud music or loud people is gently retouched. So maybe next time I can go into an Irish Pub and have a decent conversation, but no Irish Stew.