1. What is the RT60 Equation?

The RT60 (Reverb Time) equation calculates the time required for sound to decay by 60 decibels in a room. It's a fundamental measurement in room acoustics that helps determine the reverberation characteristics of a space.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the RT60 equation:

Where:

• \( RT60 \) — Reverb time in seconds
• \( V \) — Room volume in cubic meters (m³)
• \( A \) — Total absorption in square meters (m²)
• \( 0.161 \) — Constant derived from the speed of sound

Explanation: The equation shows that reverb time is directly proportional to room volume and inversely proportional to the total absorption in the room.

3. Importance of RT60 Calculation

Details: RT60 is crucial for acoustic design in various spaces including concert halls, recording studios, classrooms, and theaters. Proper RT60 values ensure optimal sound quality and intelligibility.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter room volume in cubic meters and total absorption in square meters. Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the ideal RT60 for different room types?
A: Concert halls typically aim for 1.8-2.2 seconds, recording studios 0.3-0.6 seconds, classrooms 0.4-0.8 seconds, and theaters 1.0-1.5 seconds.

Q2: How is total absorption (A) calculated?
A: Total absorption is the sum of absorption coefficients multiplied by surface areas of all materials in the room.

Q3: What factors affect RT60?
A: Room size, shape, surface materials, furniture, audience presence, and air absorption all influence RT60.

Q4: Can RT60 be too short or too long?
A: Yes, too short RT60 makes rooms sound "dead," while too long RT60 causes muddiness and reduced speech intelligibility.

Q5: How accurate is the Sabine formula?
A: The Sabine formula provides good estimates for most rooms but becomes less accurate in very absorptive or very reverberant spaces.