: These typically use porous materials (like mineral wool or fiberglass) to convert sound energy into heat through friction. Their effectiveness is measured by the Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) , where 1.0 represents total absorption.
The fundamental difference lies in how they handle sound energy: Acoustic Absorbers and Diffusers Theory Design ...
: Based on number theory, these use wells of varying depths to provide broadband scattering. You can use tools like the QRD Diffuser Calculator to determine well depths for specific frequency ranges. : These typically use porous materials (like mineral
: These use a grid of blocks at different heights to scatter sound both horizontally and vertically, creating a hemispherical pattern. You can use tools like the QRD Diffuser
: Instead of removing energy, they scatter it in multiple directions using geometric surfaces. This breaks up strong "specular" reflections that cause phase smearing and flutter echo.
Acoustic design relies on two primary tools: , which remove sound energy, and diffusers , which redistribute it . While excessive absorption can make a room feel "dead" or claustrophobic, strategic diffusion preserves a sense of "liveliness" and spaciousness without the harmful interference of distinct echoes. Core Theory & Comparison
For those looking to design or build treatments, several mathematical models are standard: