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Sabine Formula:
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The Sabine formula, developed by Wallace Clement Sabine, is used to calculate the reverberation time in an enclosed space. It provides an estimate of how long it takes for sound to decay by 60 dB after the sound source has stopped.
The calculator uses the Sabine formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how long sound persists in a room based on its size and the absorption properties of its surfaces.
Details: Proper reverb time calculation is crucial for acoustic design in spaces like concert halls, recording studios, classrooms, and theaters to ensure optimal sound quality and speech intelligibility.
Tips: Enter volume in cubic feet, surface area in square feet, and absorption in sabins. All values must be valid positive numbers.
Q1: What is a sabin?
A: A sabin is a unit of sound absorption. One square foot of a perfectly absorbing surface has an absorption of 1 sabin.
Q2: What are typical reverb times for different spaces?
A: Concert halls: 1.5-2.5 seconds, recording studios: 0.3-0.6 seconds, classrooms: 0.4-0.8 seconds, churches: 1.5-3.0 seconds.
Q3: How does surface material affect absorption?
A: Different materials have different absorption coefficients. Hard surfaces (concrete, glass) have low absorption, while soft materials (carpet, curtains) have high absorption.
Q4: What are the limitations of the Sabine formula?
A: The formula assumes diffuse sound field and uniform absorption distribution. It may be less accurate in very absorptive or very reverberant rooms.
Q5: How can I adjust reverb time in a room?
A: Add absorption materials (acoustic panels, carpets) to reduce reverb time, or use reflective surfaces to increase it.