Lewis L. Spence
A measure of good acoustics is demonstrated in the ability to enhance the sound quality in the environment where people come to listen, for example: concert halls, lecture theaters, music halls churches, synagogues or mosques. The primary goal is to enhance the reflected sound. On the other hand good acoustics is evident in areas where the primary goal is to suppress and control the reverberating sound energy in places like, a library, an office, a classroom or a residential area. These are some of the basic requirements for good acoustics in spaces where one enhances the reflected sound:
1. The sound should be loud enough everywhere. The room should not absorb most of the sound waves.
2. The sound should be adequately distributed around the room. This enhancement could be achieved by having the appropriate reflecting surfaces placed at the proper angles.
3. There should enough clarity. This can be achieved by ensuring that the room does not experience excessive reverberation. The proper reflecting surfaces should provide the solution. Especially for speech, the reverberating sound waves should have only a set acceptable life span.
4. The room should be free of echoes. If a strong the reflected sound reaches the listener 1/10 of a second or greater after the listener receives the direct sound, that could distort the sound which could result in a speech which is unintelligible. The sound could also be perceived as an echo.
5. The room should be free of extra noise- traffic, playground, air conditioning units, etc.