1. What is RT60?

RT60 (Reverberation Time 60) is the time it takes for sound to decay by 60 dB in a space after the sound source has stopped. It's a key acoustic parameter that affects how a room sounds.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Sabine equation (US units):

Where:

• \( RT60 \) — Reverberation time in seconds
• \( V \) — Volume of the room in cubic feet (ft³)
• \( A \) — Total absorption in sabins (ft²)
• 0.049 — Empirical constant for US units

Explanation: The equation shows that reverb time is directly proportional to room volume and inversely proportional to the absorption in the room.

3. Importance of RT60 Calculation

Details: Proper RT60 is crucial for optimal acoustic performance in spaces like concert halls, recording studios, classrooms, and auditoriums. Different room types require different RT60 values.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter room volume in cubic feet and total absorption in sabins. Both values must be positive numbers. The absorption value should represent the sum of all absorption coefficients multiplied by their respective surface areas.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between US and metric units in this formula?
A: The constant changes (0.049 for US units, 0.161 for metric). US uses feet, metric uses meters.

Q2: What are typical RT60 values for different rooms?
A: Recording studios: 0.2-0.5s, Concert halls: 1.5-2.5s, Classrooms: 0.6-0.8s, Churches: 2-3s.

Q3: How do I measure total absorption (A)?
A: A = Σ(α × S), where α is absorption coefficient of a material and S is its surface area.

Q4: What are limitations of the Sabine formula?
A: It assumes diffuse sound field and uniform absorption. Less accurate for very live or very dead rooms.

Q5: How does temperature/humidity affect RT60?
A: Air absorption becomes significant at high frequencies (>2kHz) in large spaces, reducing RT60.