Diffuse surfaces prevent sound focusing away from the optimum listening position

Evidence

The fact that the reflections are diffuse also results in an absence of focusing effects away from the optimum listening position and this should result in a more gradual degradation of the listening environment away from the optimum listening position. — David Howard, Jamie Angus, coustics and Psychoacoustics, 2310

Categorization

Category: Causal Relationships

Related

• Curved surfaces concentrate sound locally while draining power elsewhere in the room (similarity 0.87)
• Any change in surface reflectivity, not just bumps, causes sound diffusion (similarity 0.85)
• Diffusing surfaces may not reduce perceived reflection loudness as expected (similarity 0.84)
• Diffuse surfaces make room acoustics degrade gradually away from the sweet spot (similarity 0.84)
• Curved surfaces can focus reflected sound and enhance its intensity (similarity 0.83)
• Diffusion reduces early reflection level without absorbing sound energy. (similarity 0.83)
• Engineered diffusers attenuate the specular reflection toward the listener by up to 20 dB (similarity 0.83)
• Lateral diffuse reflections are required for listener enjoyment (similarity 0.82)
• Diffuse wall reflections are temporally spread and lower in level than specular ones (similarity 0.82)
• Standing waves from room boundaries prevent diffuse sound fields at low frequencies. (similarity 0.82)
• Sound bends around obstacles because pressure changes cannot end abruptly at shadow boundaries (similarity 0.82)
• Early lateral reflections are attenuated by loudspeaker directivity, not harmful. (similarity 0.82)
• Ceiling-reflected diffuse sound cannot substitute for real side-wall reflections (similarity 0.82)
• Early reflections must be suppressed about 15 dB to stay inaudible (similarity 0.82)
• Redirecting reflections creates uneven hot areas, so absorption is often chosen. (similarity 0.82)