Diffusion terminology is routinely misapplied to small rooms

Evidence

When people talk about diffusion in small listening rooms, they misspeak. One hears of “diffusing” loudspeakers when what is meant is a widely dispersing loudspeaker that radiates its sound in many directions. We talk of “diffusers”, but these devices really scatter or disperse incoming sounds in many directions and can only contribute to a diffuse sound field in a relatively reflective, live room (the room described in Section 12.5.3 is a unique exception). — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 1256

Categorization

• DEFINE: Clarifies the terminological distinction between diffusers/scatterers and true diffuse fields, and why ‘diffusion’ is inapplicable in small absorptive rooms.