Frequency response varies wildly across a hall yet listeners barely notice

Evidence

Another name for these standing waves in a room is resonant modes, and the frequencies at which they occur are known as “modal frequencies.” Because the modes are spatially static, there will be a strong variation of sound pressure level as one moves around the room, which is undesirable. — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 1953 (#expands, via linked claim)

Changing the position at which the pressure variation is observed will change the time relationships between the waves being combined. Therefore, the composite result from correlated sources is dependent on position. It will also depend on frequency because the effective phase shift caused by a time delay is proportional to frequency. — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 241 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Spatially static resonant modes cause sound level to vary across a room — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 1953; Experimental method determines what discrepancies listeners can perceive; Interference pattern of correlated sources varies with both listener position and frequency — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 241 (+2 more)

Broader Connections

• Spatially static resonant modes cause sound level to vary across a room #expands (0.85) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 1953
• Interference pattern of correlated sources varies with both listener position and frequency #expands (0.82) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 241
• Room acoustical behavior changes across a broad transition region, not at one frequency #qualifies (0.78)
• Experimental method determines what discrepancies listeners can perceive #expands (0.75)