Comparison of assorted diffusive room conditions

Abstract

A number of objective metrics have been proposed to quantify diffusive conditions in rooms, but less has been discovered about how perception of diffusion links to those metrics. In this project room impulse responses from a range of diffusive room conditions were recorded in the Mocap variable acoustics facility at Columbia College Chicago, which features 1200 sq. ft. of reversible absorptive/diffusive panels. Modifications to these surfaces were implemented to conduct two tests under multiple wall configurations. The first test concentrated on a direct reflection off of a 16 ft. x 8 ft. test wall, which was progressively changed from fully absorptive to fully diffusive. The second test utilized the entire facility by arranging the diffusers in multiple coverage percentages (10%–100%) and in three unique arrangements. A number of metrics have been calculated from the gathered impulse responses and compared, including those proposed to account for room diffusivity. Measured binaural room impulse responses...