Room Acoustics and Sound System Design

Abstract

As an introduction, the historical development of the field of acoustics is discussed, before the very relevant interaction between space, room acoustics and sound system design is elaborated upon, including the fundamentals of room acoustics significant for an audio engineer. The criteria to evaluate the quality of sound reproduction for language and music clarity as well as parameters such as reverberation time, energy density and critical distance are explained. Subsequently, the specific behaviour of sound and its perception are covered, such as sound propagation in the open air, influence of loudness perception and masking, echo behaviour of the auditory system and acoustic localization. A brief history of the actual design of sound reinforcement systems is then followed by considerations of the integration of sound systems into an architectural design and the positive acoustic feedback in sound system installations and the calculation of parameters to be considered in acoustic gain. Finally, further uses of sound systems are illustrated, including electro-acoustic enhancement systems that increase the reverberation and early reflections in rooms and open-air venues.