Is there any acoustical reason that supports non-rectangular concert hall design?

Abstract

The debate between shoe-box and non-shoe-box concert halls has been around for several decades. From the total concert experience point-of-view, there seems to be pros and cons for both designs. However, when only the acoustics of a hall are considered, the shoe-box design is very often preferred. This presentation discusses the basic differences between these two hall types, and how they affect, e.g., perceived bass, envelopment, clarity, intimacy, and loudness. The presentation is supported by recent data that was gathered in a large listening test during winter 2014. Typical sensory profiles of these two hall types are presented with links to listening test subjects' preferences. Moreover, the presentation will explain why shoe-box halls render larger dynamic range than other halls do. Even though room acoustics, defined with an impulse response, is linear, non-linear dynamic differences exist between halls due to the non-linear excitation (an orchestra) and non-linear human spatial hearing.