On a variable broadband absorption product and acceptable tolerances of reverberation times in halls for amplified music

Previous studies have shown that what distinguishes the best from the less well liked halls for pop and rock music is a short reverberation time in the 63, 125 and 250 Hz octave bands. Since a quite long reverberation time in these frequency bands is needed in order to obtain warmth and enough strength at classical music concerts, variable acoustics must address these frequencies in order to obtain desirable acoustics in multipurpose halls. Based on the results of a previous study of Danish rock venues as well as three newly built halls, acceptable tolerances of T30 were investigated. The results suggest that T30 can be at least 1.4 times as long in the 63 Hz octave band as in the 125 Hz band and attain values of +/- 15% at higher frequencies compared to previously determined values. A variable broadband absorption product is also presented. Absorption coefficients are approx. 0.8 in the 125, 250, 500 Hz bands, 0.6 at 1 kHz and decreasing at higher frequencies and in the 63 Hz band when in the ON position. In the OFF position the product attains absorption values between 0.0 and 0.2.