What is reverberation time?

Reverberation, also known as reverberation, is the phenomenon in which sound continues to reverberate in a room after the original sound source has stopped. The time it takes for the sound level to decrease by 60 decibels (dB) is called the reverberation time. This is often referred to as RT60.

Reverberation is a natural phenomenon caused by reflections of sound waves against surfaces such as walls, ceilings and floors. In some spaces, such as concert halls or churches, a certain amount of reverberation is desired to give the sound a full and rich character. In other situations, such as offices, classrooms or living rooms, too much reverberation can be distracting and negatively affect the intelligibility of speech or music.

How is reverberation time measured?

Reverberation time is measured by producing a sudden sound, such as a bang, in the room. It is then measured how quickly the sound level decreases. Special acoustic measuring equipment and software are used for this purpose. The reverberation time depends on several factors, including:

- The size of the room: Larger rooms tend to have a longer reverberation time because sound takes longer to disperse and bounce back.
- The materials in the room: Hard surfaces such as concrete, glass and metal reflect sound, while soft materials such as carpet, curtains and acoustic panels absorb the sound.

Why is reverberation time important?

The reverberation time has a big impact on how we experience sound in a room. Too long a reverberation time can lead to a cluttered and unpleasant sound reproduction. This is especially problematic in rooms where speech intelligibility is crucial, such as classrooms, meeting rooms and theaters.

On the other hand, too short a reverberation time can make a room feel acoustically "dead," which is undesirable in music studios or concert halls, for example.

How can you optimize reverberation time?

To control reverberation time, you can use sound-absorbing materials such as PVC acoustic wall panels. These panels with tiny holes are designed to absorb sound waves and reduce reverberation. In addition, adding furniture, carpets and curtains can help improve acoustics.

Optimizing reverberation time contributes to a pleasant and functional sound environment, regardless of the purpose of the room. Whether you want a quiet workspace or seek an optimal listening experience, controlling reverberation time is essential.

In our standard range we have 9mm self-adhesive PET felt panels. For custom solutions, we also have 18mm and 25mm panels. For when larger spaces need acoustic panels we also offer a 40mm insulation of polyester wool or cellulose. By placing this in a construction with cavity with on top of that the design panels can easily and economically realize a larger area from cinema to meeting room or just the living room.

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