Why does critical distance matter?

Inside rc the direct sound dominates; beyond it, room reflections shape timbre and microphone pickup.

Critical Distance Calculator

Estimate r_c where direct and reverberant sound are equal.

Room volume (m-)

T₆₀ (s)

Average alpha (for room constant)

Total surface area S (m-) - optional

Source directivity Q

How the critical distance calculator works

Input room volume, T₆₀, average absorption, optional surface area, and source directivity Q. The calculator estimates room constant R and critical distance r_c where direct and reverberant energy are comparable.

Key terms

Critical distance (r_c) - beyond this point, reverberation dominates over direct sound.
Room constant (R) - Sabine measure of how strongly a room absorbs reflections.
Directivity (Q) - 1 omnidirectional, 2 on a boundary, higher in corners or with horn coverage.

Frequently asked questions

Why does critical distance matter? Inside rc the direct sound dominates; beyond it, room reflections shape timbre and microphone pickup.