Further Investigations into the Interactions between Cinema Loudspeakers and Screens

Brian Long, Roger Schwenke, Peter Soper, Glenn Leembruggen

Modern-day data-acquisition techniques allow the gathering of high-resolution polar data to assess the detailed performance of loudspeakers. While these techniques are now common in engineering laboratories, they can also be used for acoustic investigation into the in situ performance of loudspeakers. This paper uses modern high-resolution data-acquisition techniques and analysis tools to investigate the complexity of the interaction between a loudspeaker and the screen in a cinema presentation environment. A discussion is presented that explores the effects of three types of screen materials on loudspeaker frequency responses and radiation patterns. These screen effects are explored using a range of loudspeaker-screen distances found in typical cinemas. The impact of the screen on patron listening experience is examined, particularly in relation to the standards for system response set out in SMPTE Timed Text 202:2010.

Print ISSN
Electronic ISSN
2160-2492
Published
2012-11
Content type
Original Research
DOI
10.5594/j18247XY