RT60 for multipurpose worship?

Compromise 1.0-1.5 s. Contemporary: 0.8-1.2. Traditional liturgical: 1.5-2.5. Variable acoustics (curtains, panels) bridge conflicting requirements for different service types.

Audience absorption effect?

Each person absorbs approximately 0.5 m2. 500-seat venue gains 250 m2 when full. RT60 drops 0.2-0.5 s. Design for occupied target. Upholstered seats reduce the difference.

Why classrooms shorter than halls?

Classrooms prioritize intelligibility (short RT60 prevents syllable masking per ANSI S12.60). Halls prioritize envelopment (longer RT60 blends reflections into spacious decay for musical warmth).

RT60 at 125-250 Hz / 500-1000 Hz. 1.0-1.2 for warmth. Below 1.0 thin. Above 1.3 boomy. Target depends on use and musical genre.

RT60 for multipurpose worship?

Compromise 1.0-1.5 s. Contemporary: 0.8-1.2. Traditional liturgical: 1.5-2.5. Variable acoustics (curtains, panels) bridge conflicting requirements for different service types.

Audience absorption effect?

Each person absorbs approximately 0.5 m2. 500-seat venue gains 250 m2 when full. RT60 drops 0.2-0.5 s. Design for occupied target. Upholstered seats reduce the difference.

Why classrooms shorter than halls?

Classrooms prioritize intelligibility (short RT60 prevents syllable masking per ANSI S12.60). Halls prioritize envelopment (longer RT60 blends reflections into spacious decay for musical warmth).

RT60 at 125-250 Hz / 500-1000 Hz. 1.0-1.2 for warmth. Below 1.0 thin. Above 1.3 boomy. Target depends on use and musical genre.

Ideal RT60 by Venue Type

Optimal RT60 depends on use, volume, and frequency. Concert halls target 1.8-2.2 seconds for warmth. Classrooms require 0.4-0.6 seconds per ANSI S12.60 for clarity. Larger volumes need longer RT60 to match spaciousness expectations.

ISO 3382-1:2009§3.1ANSI S12.60-2010§6.2BS 8233:2014

Performance

Symphony: 1.8-2.2 s. Opera: 1.2-1.6 s. Recital: 1.4-1.8 s. Jazz: 0.8-1.2 s.

Speech

Classrooms per ANSI S12.60: 0.4-0.6 s. Lecture: 0.6-0.8. Court: 0.5-0.8. Conference: 0.3-0.5. Worship: 0.8-1.5 compromise.

Studio

Control rooms: 0.2-0.4 s. Live rooms: 0.4-1.0 by genre. Broadcast: 0.3-0.5. Podcast: 0.2-0.3.

Volume Relationship

Per Sabine: doubling volume approximately doubles RT60. Concert halls: 8-12 m3/seat target.

Bass Ratio

RT60 125-250 Hz / 500-1000 Hz. 1.0-1.2 for warmth. Below 1.0 sounds thin. Above 1.3 boomy. Occupied is 0.2-0.5 s shorter (0.5 m2/person absorption).

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