Absorbing reflections is easier to build but shortens reverberation time

Evidence

Note that if the reflections are redirected rather than being absorbed, there will be “hot areas” in the room where the level of early reflections is higher than normal. In general, it is often architecturally easier to use absorption rather than redirection, although this can sometimes result in a room with a shorter reverberation time. — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 2291

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Diffusing early reflections lowers their level without absorbing the sound energy — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 2315