Module 6 - Architectural Acoustics

Architectural Acoustics  ::  Acoustics of Rooms  ::  Electronic Reinforcement  ::  Hi-Fi in Small Rooms

Architectural Acoustics

In Chapter 3, we defined sound waves as longitudinal waves that travel in a solid, liquid, or gas. The most common path from source to receiver is through air, but not necessarily a direct path through the air. In a room, most of the sound waves that reach the listener's ear have been reflected by one or more surfaces of the room or by objects within the room. In a typical room, sound waves undergo dozens of reflections before they become inaudible.

It is not surprising, therefore that the acoustical properties of the room play an important role in determining the nature of the sound heard by a listener.