Module 6 - Architectural Acoustics

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

Hi-Fi in Small Rooms

In this chapter, we will look at the acoustics of small rooms. Listening rooms are the weakest link in the high fidelity sound system. In order to better understand the acoustics of rooms, we will discuss room resonances; the relationship of reverberant to direct sound; the variation of loudspeaker power level (Lw) and directivity factor Q with frequency; sound images from multiple sound sources; placement of loudspeaker and furniture; and program material.

To successfully complete this chapter you should...

• Read chapter 25 in your text book (pages 495-517).
• Carefully study the important concepts about Hi-Fi sound in small rooms.
• Be able to list the important considerations for understanding the sound field in a listening room.

Important Concepts

Acoustics of small rooms
Sound images
Hi-Fidelity sound
Single and multi-channel sound-reproducing systems
Monophonic
Monaural
Binaural
Stereophonic
Quadraphonic
Stereophonic sound
The sound field in listening rooms
Testing and equalization
Quadraphonic sound
Time delay and ambience synthesizers