In-room measurement curves are dominated by reflections, not direct sound

Evidence

The problem is that these room curves get interpreted as “targets” for equalization of loudspeakers of unknown performance. What is measured is 93. dominated by the off-axis performance of the loudspeakers—the reflected sound—which is influenced by the acoustical properties of the venue. Since neither the loudspeakers nor the rooms are tightly specified, the measured room curves are “results”, not targets. They can only be trusted for evaluating sound quality if the detailed anechoic performance of the loudspeakers is known and meets certain standards, and the acoustical nature of the venue is closely standardized. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 365

Categorization

• DEFINE: Makes precise the conceptual distinction between a measured ‘result’ and an equalization ‘target’ — a key modeling concept.
• XREF: Connects to the room acoustics and loudspeaker directivity measurement discussions likely in earlier chapters of this same book.