Controlled Sound Reflection in Review Rooms, Theaters, Etc.

C. M. Mugler

This paper avoids technicalities and formulas, reaching back to elementary acoustics which are often side-tracked. Controlled reflection plays the leading role, with the minor parts delegated to sound diffusion and uniform energy distribution. Although much can be mathematically proved, the only satisfying conditions are the apparent ones, which are judged and gauged by the normal human ears. — Audio effects due to the physical characteristics of both sound absorbents and building materials are explained and their proper locations emphasized. Although a room can have the desired optimal reverberation time over the entire frequency response characteristic, it can still be unsuitable for the rendition of speech and music that is clear and distinct; the shape, size, and contours of the six surfaces in a room, plus the incidental equipment and purpose, are the deciding factors on how much and where the reflecting and absorbing materials should be placed.

Print ISSN
Published
1939-10
Content type
Original Research
DOI
10.5594/J11943