Reverberation Time Calculator
Calculate RT60 reverberation time using the Sabine equation.
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Enter the room volume in cubic meters and the total sound absorption in sabins. The calculator computes the RT60 reverberation time using the Sabine equation.
About Reverberation Time
Reverberation time is a crucial parameter in architectural acoustics. The Sabine equation, one of the first quantitative relationships in room acoustics, relates RT60 to room volume and total sound absorption. Total absorption is the sum of all surface areas multiplied by their absorption coefficients. Controlling reverberation is essential for speech intelligibility in classrooms, musical quality in concert halls, and recording fidelity in studios.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is RT60?
RT60 is the time it takes for sound to decay by 60 decibels after the source stops. It is the standard measure of how "reverberant" a room is.
What is a good reverberation time?
It depends on the room's purpose. Concert halls: 1.5-2.5 seconds. Lecture rooms: 0.5-1.0 seconds. Recording studios: 0.3-0.5 seconds. Longer times suit music; shorter times suit speech.
What is the Sabine equation?
The Sabine equation (RT60 = 0.161V/A) was developed by Wallace Sabine in 1898. V is room volume in cubic meters, and A is total absorption in sabins (square meters of equivalent open window).