How the critical distance calculator works
Input room dimensions, T60, average absorption, and source directivity Q. The calculator derives room volume and total surface area, then estimates room constant R and critical distance rc where direct and reverberant energy are comparable.
Key terms
- Critical distance (rc) - 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.