Reverberation Time

RT60 Measurement

Reverberation is one of the most significant acoustic properties of a room. Knowing the reverberation time is essential in characterizing rooms, be they performance spaces, ordinary rooms or open office spaces.

While the requirements for measuring reverberation are described in detail in the ISO 3382 and ASTM E2235 standards, this page provides some basic common information such as terminology and how an actual reverberation time measurement is done.

The Acoustic Analyzer in combination with the DS3 Dodecahedron Speaker Kit and the Room Acoustics Reporter software forms the professional reverberation time measurement solution.

 

What is Reverberation Time?

Sound produced in a room will repeatedly bounce off reflective surfaces such as the floor, walls, ceiling, windows or tables while gradually losing energy. When these reflections mix with each other, the phenomena known as reverberation is created. Reverberation is thus a collection of many reflections of sound.

Reverberation time is a measure of the time required for reflecting sound to "fade away" in an enclosed area after the source of the sound has stopped. It is important in defining how a room will respond to acoustic sound.

Get a feeling for reverberation times in various rooms, just by clapping your hands.

  • In our anechoic chamber.
    Estimated Reverberation Time close to nothing.

  • In a meeting room.
    Estimated Reverberation Time around 1 second.

  • In a corridor.
    Estimated Reverberation Time around 2 seconds.

  • In our parking basement.
    Estimated Reverberation Time around 3 seconds.

How is Reverberation Time defined?

The reverberation time measurement is defined in the ISO 3382-1 standard for performance spaces, the ISO 3382-2 standard for ordinary rooms, and the ASTM E2235 standard.

The reverberation time is the time the sound pressure level takes to decrease by 60 dB, after a sound source is abruptly switched off. Commonly-used abbreviation for Reverberation Time is RT.

Reverberation Time values vary in different positions within a room. Therefore, an average reading is most often taken across the space being measured.

RT60 Measurement Principle
Visualization of the basic principle of a Reverberation Time Measurement.

 

Rooms with a reverberation time of < 0.3 seconds are called acoustically "dead". Typically, the reverberation time increases with the room volume. Smaller rooms with a reverberation time of > 2 seconds are commonly considered to be "echoic".

Why is reverberation important?

Too much reverberation has a negative impact on the intelligibility of speech. This can, for example, make it hard to hear what a class teacher is saying.

Reverberation is also particularly noticeable in a place of worship where the sound may be heard for several seconds while it fades away. The main reason religious leaders pronounce their words clearly and talk slowly, leaving small gaps between sentences, is to overcome this reverberation and make their speech clear (such a manner of speaking also has a beneficial side-effect of sounding reverent).

Conference rooms are an especially challenging acoustic environment. Collaborative white boards, stylish glass walls and the obligatory large table are all highly-reflective surfaces for sound. This tends to increase the reverberation time of the room which impacts speech intelligibility.

Typically, reverberation times can be reduced by damping using absorbing materials such as thick carpets, curtains, upholstered furniture or dedicated sound-absorbing panels. Furthermore, the presence of people in a room reduces the reverberation, and therefore produces a lower reverberation time value compared to the unoccupied room.

On the other hand, too little reverberation will reduce the rich, warm acoustic sound from an orchestra in a concert hall.

 

How to measure Reverberation Time

This video explains how to measure reverberation time with the XL2 Audio Analyzer and the DS3 Dodecahedron Speaker Kit.

 

Step-by-step Procedure

  1. 1.
    On the XL2, select RT60 from the main menu.
    XL2 RT60 Main Menu
  2. 2.
    When the room is quiet, click SET.
    XL2 RT60 SET
  3. 3.
    On the PA3, play "EQ Pink" noise and adjust the level.
    (wear hearing protection)
    PA3 EQ Pink and Gain
  4. 4.
    Press the Start button on the XL2.
    Press Start
  5. 5.
    Toggle sound source 3 times on and off.
    PA3 Remote Control
  6. 6.
    Press the Stop button on the XL2.
    Press Stop
  7. 7.
    Print your Report.
    RT60 Report with your logo

 

Meter for Reverberation Time Measurement

The XL2 Acoustic Analyzer measures the reverberation time automatically, thus minimizes the time and effort spent measuring. It stores all data onto the SD card for direct transfer to the computer for detailed data analysis and reporting.

 

XL2 Acoustic Analyzer for RT60 Measurement
XL2 Acoustic Analyzer for Reverberation Time Measurement
 

Features

  • automatic triggering on both impulse and gated noise sound sources
  • automatic averaging of multiple measurements
  • spectral results
  • completely integrated documentation
  • compliant to international standards

 


For consideration regarding the measurement meter

Correlation and Uncertainty


RT60 decay linear fit

Reverberation Time is calculated using a linear least-squares regression of the actual measured decay curve. In simple terms, the calculation finds the straight line (linear fit) that best fits as a representation of all the measured data.

The XL2 automatically calculates two auxiliary results, correlation and uncertainty. These are both required by the standards, and indicate the precision of the results.

  • Correlation indicates how well the calculated linear fit matches to the actual decay curve. A high correlation value indicates a linear, non-distorted decay curve.
    The correlation factor is expressed as a percentage; 100% represents perfectly linear sound pressure level decay after the sound source has ceased. The natural deviation from this linearity results in lower correlation values. Actual correlation factors are typically between 80 and 100%.
  • Uncertainty is introduced because pink noise is not a consistent signal, rather a random signal. It depends on the reverberation time (longer times produce lower uncertainty) and the bandwidth of the individual frequency band (broader bandwidth produces lower uncertainty). Also, lower bands show a higher uncertainty factor.

    Uncertainty is influenced by the number of test cycles, the measurement method (T20 or T30), and the measurement filter (1/3rd or 1/1 octave resolution).


    So, for a lower uncertainty (i.e. a better measurement accuracy),

    • T30 is better than T20
    • 1/1 octave measurements are better than 1/3rd measurements
    • 5 cycles is better than 3
      (Note: a minimum of 3 cycles is required)
    • Use more measurement positions in the room

 

Where should I place the measurement microphone? Critical Distance Dc

It is recommended to place the sound source and the microphone in multiple positions, and average all the readings, to compensate, for example, for any room modes (resonances brought about by the dimensions of the room).

The microphone should always be placed at least 1 meter from reflecting surfaces (walls, doors, windows, floors, tables).

Further, there is a formula that helps us determine where to place the microphone relative to the sound source. It gives us the minimum distance required between any source of sound and the measurement microphone for a valid reverberation time measurement. This is known as the critical distance.

RT60 Critical Distance formula

Dc = critical distance [m]

V = Volume of the room [m3]

C = Speed of sound [m/s]

T = Expected Reverberation Time for the room [s]
 

Example: in a small hall, at a room temperature of 20℃, with dimensions of 10 meters by 9 meters and a height of 5 meters, and an expected Reverberation Time of 2 seconds, the microphone must be at least 1.6 meters away from the sound source.
 

V = 10 * 9 * 5 = 450 m3

C = 342 m/s (the speed of sound @ 20℃)

T = 2 seconds

Critical Distance Dc = 2 *√ (450 / (342 * 2)) = 1.6 meters

 

Shall I use 1/3rd or 1/1 octave frequency resolution?

The XL2 Acoustic Analyzer measures the Reverberation Time with 1/1 octave resolution, or, with the addition of the Extended Acoustic Pack Option, with 1/3rd octave resolution.

For many applications, using a 1/1 octave resolution is sufficient, unless the specification documentation with which you are working requires a 1/3rd octave resolution.

 

Shall I choose T20 or T30?

Typically, the ambient noise in a room (e.g. an apartment or office) would create a noise floor of 40-50 dB. To measure a decay of 60 dB from a sound source, we have to inject the sound at 75 dB (with 5 dB for the auto trigger and 10 dB headroom to the noise floor) above this noise floor. Creating such sound at 125 dB across the whole spectrum, and particularly at low frequencies, requires awfully high sound pressure and is often practically or even technically not feasible.

RT60 decay measurement

With a sound source creating a sound pressure level
of 100 dB, a room with a noise floor of up to 55 dB
can be measured using the T30 method

 

In practice, therefore, the standards ISO 3382-1 and ISO 3382-2 specify to measure the time taken for the reverberation to decay by 20 dB or 30 dB only. These readings can then be linearly extrapolated to a decay time of 60 dB.
 

  • T20 = 3 * (time to decay by 20 dB) while
  • T30 = 2 * (time to decay by 30 dB)
     

Generally, it is better to choose T30 over T20, as the measurement uncertainty will be lower. However, if the background noise is too high and/or the sound source is not loud enough to create an extra 45 dB, T20 may be your best option.

 

How do I get a single Reverberation Time result?

A single Reverberation Time result may be calculated by averaging measured values from a selection of frequency bands. For example, a single figure reverberation time may be calculated by averaging the results of the 500 Hz and 1000 Hz octave bands.

 Frequency [Hz]  Reverberation Time [s]
63 0.90
125 0.87
250 0.76
500 0.67
1000 0.59
2000 0.56
4000 0.56
8000 0.51

(0.67 + 0.59) / 2 = 0.63

This result may be represented thus: T[500Hz, 1000Hz] = 0.63 seconds

Alternatively, for third-octave measurements, you may take averages over the six bands from 400 Hz to 1250 Hz.

 Frequency [Hz]  Reverberation Time [s]
50 0.29
63 0.25
80 0.31
100 0.20
125 0.22
160 0.21
200 0.27
250 0.22
315 0.41
400 0.34
500 0.36
630 0.25
800 0.22
1000 0.23
1250 0.22
1600 0.22
2000 0.25
2500 0.21
3150 0.20
4000 0.22
5000 0.22
6300 0.21
8000 0.23
10000 0.22

(0.34 + 0.36 + 0.25 + 0.22 + 0.23 + 0.22) / 6 = 0.27

This result may be represented thus: T[400Hz-1.25kHz] = 0.27 seconds

According to the ISO 3382-1 standard, either of the above two results may be labelled Tmid.

 

Should I measure alone?

The process and the XL2 Acoustic Analyzer are designed to be operated by one person.

However, although it is loud and therefore possibly uncomfortable, there can be other people in the room during the measurement. It may, for example, be useful for you to have help moving the dodecahedron around.

Everyone in the room must remain still and quiet during measurements. They should all wear hearing protection. Avoid anyone standing near the microphone.

People who are present in the room during the measurement will absorb sound energy and possibly reduce the reverberation time value. You should document how many people were present during measurements.

 

 

Sound Sources for Reverberation Time Measurement

Always wear hearing protection, as the sound sources for measurements can get loud.

Depending on the type and purpose of the room you are measuring, various sound sources are suitable.

In accordance with the ISO 3382 and ASTM E2235 standards, many common reverberation time measurements require an omnidirectional sound source, which means that the sound energy has to be distributed uniformly. For precise measurements, the sound source must have an omnidirectional radiation characteristic.

Dodecahedron Omnidirectional Speaker

The DS3 Dodecahedron Speaker Kit offers a powerful omnidirectional sound source suitable for most applications, from small to relatively large rooms.

DS3 and PA3
Dodecahedron Speaker Kit
 

Advantages

  • lightweight for the 120.5 dB it delivers
  • wireless remote control for mute/unmute
  • the equalized pink noise covers the acoustic frequency spectrum from 100 Hz to 8 kHz
  • low power compression ensures stable sound level over long time period
  • re-useable at no expense
  • meets all standards as it is not an impulsive sound source
     

Alternatives

Existing installed PA system

When the venue is very large, injecting pink noise into the existing installed PA system may be your only reasonable option. The MR-PRO Signal Generator provides the required randomly generated pink noise signal into the PA system. Try to get enough power from the PA system, especially in the low frequencies.

Minirator MR-PRO
MR-PRO Audio Generator

 

Advantages

  • the pink noise source covers the whole frequency range of measurements
  • re-useable at no expense

Disadvantages

  • the PA speakers may not be distributed uniformly around the measured space

 

Powered portable speaker

An active portable speaker may be used for basic reverberation time testing. The MR-PRO Signal Generator provides the required randomly generated pink noise signal into the portable speaker.


Minirator MR-PRO
MR-PRO Audio Generator

To compensate for the measurement uncertainty introduced by the directivity of the speaker, you should perform a greater number of measurements at various positions in the room. Make sure you can get enough power from your loudspeaker, especially in the low frequencies.

Advantages

  • cost-effective if you already own a powered loudspeaker
  • the pink noise source covers the whole frequency range for measurements
  • the size of the room is limited, within reason, only by the size of your loudspeaker.
  • re-useable at no expense

Disadvantages

  • this may produce a less-than-optimal result as the high directivity of a single loudspeaker does not have an omnidirectional radiation characteristic
  • you have to lug the powered loudspeaker around – let’s hope it’s not too heavy

 

Fire a starter pistol

IT IS NOT ADVISABLE TO GO THROUGH AIRPORT CUSTOMS OR INTO SCHOOL BUILDINGS ETC. WITH A STARTER PISTOL IN YOUR HAND / LUGGAGE.

A starter pistol is an impulsive sound source. An impulsive sound is defined as an almost instantaneous (thus impulse-like) sharp sound such as a clap, pop or a gunshot. The ASTM E2235 standard does not permit impulsive sound sources.

The bigger the caliber of the pistol, the more deeper frequencies it will cover, and the more sound energy it can produce. Thus larger rooms can be measured.

Exploding caps may leave a burnt gunpowder residue – make sure you have access to a vacuum cleaner to clean up if the location is sensitive to mess e.g a restaurant.

Advantages

  • easy to carry around
  • quick setup
  • re-useable at relatively little expense – cost of the exploding caps
  • has an omnidirectional radiation characteristic

Disadvantages

  • may make people in your immediate vicinity nervous to see you brandishing a gun
  • a starter pistol may not create sufficient energy in large rooms
  • a starter pistol may not cover the whole frequency range of measurements
  • does not meet the ASTM E2235 standard as it is an impulsive sound source

 

Pop a balloon

The larger the balloon, the more deeper frequencies it will cover, and the more sound energy it can produce. Thus larger rooms can be measured.

Make sure you use higher-quality balloons that are fit for purpose. Cheap children party balloons can be difficult to blow up, and may burst prematurely in front of your client.

Advantages

  • easy to carry around

Disadvantages

  • may be time-consuming – a balloon of 1 meter diameter could take up to 5 minutes to inflate with an electric balloon inflator
  • a bursting balloon may not cover the whole frequency range of measurements
  • a balloon may not create sufficient energy in larger rooms
  • does not meet the ASTM E2235 standard as it is an impulsive sound source

 

Clapper board


Clapper Board

Advantages

  • easy to carry around
  • no setup
  • re-useable at no expense

Disadvantages

  • the reverberation time result may not be valid as a clapper board does not cover the whole measurement frequency range
  • the reverberation time result may not be valid as a clapper board will not create sufficient energy in larger rooms
  • does not meet the ASTM E2235 standard as it is an impulsive sound source

 

Clap your hands

A hand clap can give you an estimation of the reverberation time.

Advantages

  • good for a quick indication
  • no financial investment
  • has an omnidirectional radiation characteristic

Disadvantages

  • the reverberation time result may not be valid as it is difficult to clap hard enough to trigger the measurement
  • the reverberation time result may not be valid as a hand clap will not cover the whole measurement frequency range
  • does not meet the ASTM E2235 standard as it is an impulsive sound source


For consideration regarding sound sources

For how long must I play the sound source signal?

Before being switched off to trigger a measurement, the sound source should be played for a long enough time period to ensure that a balance between injected and absorbed acoustic energy has been reached. In other words, the sound reflections should be given enough time to fill the whole room.

As a rule of thumb, ensure that the pink noise is played for a few seconds and at least half the time period of the estimated reverberation time result. If in doubt, play the sound source for at least 5 seconds.

 

Thinking outside the box

If you find yourself in a very large or long room with no installed PA system, you may have to think of innovative ways to create a loud, deep bang. To encourage you to think outside the box, we can share the following experience with you. A loud and low-frequency bang can be produced using a telephone book hit against a stable and robust table.

Do you have any innovative ways of creating noise for reverberation time measurements?
Tell us

 

Why do we use 12 drivers in the DS3 Dodecahedron Speaker?


Dodecahedron
noun
a three-dimensional shape having twelve plane faces, in particular a regular solid figure with twelve equal pentagonal faces. from Greek dodekaedros meaning ‘twelve-faced’ (thanks to the Greeks for this tricky word, and democracy, philosophy, art, architecture, science, and sport, to name but a few others things)

Sound insulation and precise reverberation time measurements require the use of an omnidirectional sound source. Omnidirectional sources radiate sound equally in all directions. Loudspeakers mounted on the surfaces of a polyhedron will give such a uniform, omnidirectional radiation.

These are only five possible regular polyhedron shapes for creating an omnidirectional source

tetrahedron with 4 triangular faces
hexahedron or cube    with 6 square faces
octahedron with 8 triangular faces
dodecahedron with 12 pentagonal faces
icosahedron with 20 triangular faces

The international standards ISO 3382-1 and ISO 16283-1 specify the directivity response of omnidirectional speakers. To give an adequate approximation of uniform omnidirectional radiation, it is stated that the dodecahedron (12 faces) is the preferred polyhedron.

In the design of the NTi Audio Dodecahedron Loudspeaker enclosure, consideration was given to the practical advantage of transporting a smaller, lightweight enclosure, and providing sufficient sound power output, while ensuring a flat frequency response, and optimizing the spectral uniformity - and all this at an affordable price

 

Compliant Reporting

The Room Acoustics Reporter is a PC software for automatically generating reverberation time measurement reports. Just drag & drop the measurement data into the software for analysis and reporting.

The Room Acoustics Reporter software can simulate the influence of additional acoustic absorbers installed in the room. Customer-specific absorption coefficients of surface absorbers or objects can be imported into the software. The software calculates the expected new reverberation time and the resulting sound level change in the room. In addition, it presents the A/V ratio and the average sound absorption coefficient in the room. The simulation is performed according to Sabine's formula and the DIN EN 12354-6 standard. For rooms with higher absorption, the simulation can also be performed according to Eyring.

Projector PRO XL View Room Acoustics Reporter

 

Recommended reverberation time values

These are typical recommended reverberation time values:

Location Volume Critical Distance Dc Recommended Reverberation Time
Recording Studio < 50 m3 1.5 m 0.3 s
Classroom < 200 m3 2 m 0.4 - 0.6 s
Office < 1'000 m3 3.5 m 0.5 - 1.1 s
Lecture Hall < 5'000 m3 6 m 1.0 - 1.5 s
Concert Hall, Opera   < 20'000 m3 11 m 1.4 - 2.0 s
Church     2 - 10 s

Configurations

XL2 Building Acoustics Kit

XL2 Measurement Kit for basic use

including
  • XL2 Acoustic Analyzer
  • Room Acoustics Reporter
  • M4261 Measurement Microphone
  • Minirator MR-PRO
  • ASD Cable for XL2
  • 2x Mains Power Adapter
  • Exel System Case
 

XL2 Measurement Kit for professional use

including
  • PA3 Power Amplifier
    with built-in noise generator
  • DS3 Dodecahedron Speaker
  • Speaker Stand for DS3
  • XL2 Acoustic Analyzer
  • Extended Acoustic Pack for XL2
  • Room Acoustics Reporter
  • M2230 Measurement Microphone
  • ASD Cable for XL2
  • Mains Power Adapter
  • Exel System Case

Get more Information

Is there something else you’d like to know?

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