Theory 001/Acoustics & Vibration
Room Modes Follow a Volume Ratio
The claim
A room's modal density is felt only when volume per unit absorption crosses a threshold, so a large dry room can sound smaller than a small live one.
01The mechanism
Absorption controls decay, volume controls mode spacing. The audible character is set by the ratio, which is why treating one alone fails to predict how a room sounds.
02Predictions
- P1Rooms matched on ratio should sound alike regardless of size.
- P2Adding absorption should shift perceived size only past the threshold.
03Refutation
Perceived size tracking volume alone would reduce the ratio to a correction.