WAVES & SOUND · LAB 18

Room acoustics

Move the source and listener, change the room surfaces and see how direct sound, reflections and reverberation shape what is heard.

SIMULATIONRUNNING

Drag the source S or listener L to reposition them

Direct soundReflectionsWavefront

DIRECT ARRIVAL—

—

FIRST REFLECTION—

—

REVERBERATION—

estimated RT60

LISTENER LEVEL—

approximate SPL

ROOM—

—

CRITICAL DISTANCE—

direct ≈ reverberant

ENERGY DECAY

Impulse response

The spikes mark direct sound and early reflections. The curve estimates the reverberant decay toward −60 dB.

WHAT TO NOTICE

Surfaces shape the sound

Hard surfaces return more energy, while curtains, carpet and acoustic panels absorb it. Closely spaced reflections blend into reverberation; a sufficiently delayed strong reflection is heard as a separate echo. Room dimensions also determine resonant frequencies.

t = d / cRT₆₀ = 0.161 V / A

Educational estimates only. This simulation is not a substitute for professional acoustic measurement or room modelling.