Quoted from vid1900:Ceiling tiles actually don't absorb much sound, even though they have "acoustical" in their name.
I'm not sure it's so much about sound absorption as it is about sound reflection. The ceiling panels will help cut down on echo, which may be why the drop ceiling was preferred over a drywall ceiling (hidden plumbing/electrical notwithstanding). Adding texture to drywall can also cut down on the sound reflection.
Quoted from Bryan_Kelly:I can't tell you how many times I've replaced the cables between the two. I wouldn't have been able to do it without the suspended ceiling. I've also added speakers in the gameroom, which I wouldn't have been able to do with a drywall ceiling.
I have a lot of plumbing and electrical above my ceiling (read: 1926 plumbing and electrical), and I've changed the configuration of my basement several times, as well as cable routing to upper levels. I couldn't imagine having a fixed ceiling either.