Sensitivity of room acoustic parameters to changes in scattering coefficients

Abstract

This project uses the room acoustics computer modeling program, ODEON, to investigate the sensitivity of room acoustic parameters to changes in scattering coefficients. Particularly, the study is interested in determining if the results from certain room models are more sensitive to scattering coefficients than from other models, due to their geometry or absorption characteristics. If so, how can one quantify a model’s susceptibility to being sensitive to scattering? Various models of three real spaces in Omaha, Nebraska are tested. The predicted reverberation, clarity, and spaciousness parameters are compared at various receiver locations, while the scattering coefficient of all surfaces is varied from 0 to 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 0.8. The resulting data are analyzed by frequency according to the (1) average absorption of the room; (2) magnitude variation of absorption within the room; (3) spatial distribution of absorption within the room; and (4) level of model detail. Initial results indicate that parameters studied may show more sensitivity to scattering coefficients in models that have a wider range of absorption values, more disparate distribution of absorption, and lower detail level. Various schemes that include these aspects are proposed for computing a model’s sensitivity to changes in scattering.