You have probably experienced going to the doctor with some ailment because something is wrong. The first thing you do is explain your complaint and your desired results to the doctor. Then they run some tests to establish what is out of whack. Then they analyze the results and determine a diagnosis and what it will take to balance what is imbalanced. Next, they prescribe specific medicine and/or actions specifically for you to get better. Finally, they run the same tests again to see if any adjustments should be made.
This is the same process used to determine acoustic treatments in rooms. This is the proven scientific approach. The photo shows my first visit to run objective and subjective tests to improve the system performance and personal experience for a client. The equipment and the room interact with each other and are a system.
We want to organize the sound from its chaos. You can’t simply guess, because every room is unique in its problems, dimensions, construction, and furnishings, not to mention various imposed limitations or constraints, which may include budgetary, physical space, decor, time frame, etc. In addition, each acoustic treatment has its own specific application.
The whole idea is to solve the question of, “What is needed to get from here to there?”. There will be an optimum selection of tools (products) to solve the problem without wasting your valuable time and money. It’s a proven scientific process that is very logical.
The six steps to the process:
Constraints may include budget, décor, time, available space, etc.
When we say room acoustics, we are referring to small listening rooms and the characteristics of noise control and sound quality, specifically how to achieve a high-performance, neutral room from the current, uncontrolled one. Primarily, we’re talking about controlling noise, room modes, 1st reflections, and reverberation times, but it can be more specific.
Secrets Sponsor
For noise control, we have four tools at hand: we can block the sound energy, break its path, absorb it, and/or isolate it.
For sound quality, we have three tools: reflection, absorption, and/or diffusion. Note that different treatments will address different frequency ranges, and at different amounts. This is why it is critical to know the acoustic properties of these products, as tested in a certified acoustics lab. Without the information, you are modeling completely blind.
These tools (test data, computer modeling, product test data), along with acoustic room test measuring instruments, are used to evaluate and control sound energy.
There are targets for both noise control and sound quality attributes in order to offer optimal performance and neutrality. The end goal is to make the room sonically disappear. We don’t want the sounds of our room interfering and distorting with the recording we are listening to. Every room is unique and will require specific prescriptions of the right treatments, in the right locations, in the right quantities. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment or prescription.
Let’s go through a quick, real-world example using reverberation control. When the reverberation times are too short the room feels uncomfortable and constrained. When the reverberation times are too long, the sound will be tonal, articulation and low-level details are buried, spatial cues are skewed, and dynamic range is limited:
First, we determine what our goal is.
Then we compare our goal with our existing conditions.
Finally, we computer model possible product solutions to match up with our target curve.
Secrets Sponsor
So those are the steps. Do you need to take all six steps? Most people don’t take any of them, in fact, most people don’t ever think about acoustics at all. You take all six if you want to do it right and confirm that you did. Note that there are now means for you to take what is called an Impulse Response measurement yourself and electronically send the WAV file to an acoustic consultant. This can be a money and time saver and is about 75% as good as an onsite visit, sans where experience, insights, and subjective evaluations could also be applied.
I’ll leave you with two valuable pieces of advice:
Major refinements inside and out have taken the already solid performer to the next level…
Welcome everyone to the second installment of our AXPONA 2024 coverage. Just to quickly reiterate,…
Can you use the words simple and whole house audio in the same sentence? I…
I got a chance to partake in an exclusive outing to Sennheiser's HQ in Tullamore…
An elegant and buttoned-down loudspeaker that can still “kick it,” old school! Because of this…
Sonus faber delivers high style and high performance from its Lumina II Amator Bookshelf Speakers.…