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Avalon Acoustics Sentinel manual Avoiding Early Reflections

Models: Sentinel

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Avoiding Early Reflections

Avoiding Early Reflections

The speed of sound is approximately one foot (30 cm) per millisecond. Therefore, to preserve the natural sound stage on your recordings, there should be no reflected sounds arriving at the listening position with a path length less than ten feet (3 meters) longer than the direct path from speaker to listener (see Figure 9.1). This means that if the speaker or listener is placed closer than about 5 feet to a wall or other surface, that surface should be covered with evenly absorbent material.

Direct Sound

Reflected Sound

Figure 9.1 - The reflected sound must travel further than the direct sound, and therefore reaches the listener at a later time.

Since the floor is within 5 feet of the speaker, it is best to have a carpeted floor to absorb floor reflections. A thick, dense carpet and pad will absorb lower frequencies more effectively than a thin one. Due to their complex structure, carpets and pads of natural materials, such as wool and jute, exhibit a more uniform absorption over the frequency spectrum than do synthetic materials.

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Page 46
Image 46
Avalon Acoustics Sentinel manual Avoiding Early Reflections
Page 45 Page 47

FAQ

What is the speed of sound and how does it relate to preserving the natural sound stage?

The speed of sound is approximately one foot (30 cm) per millisecond. To preserve the natural sound stage on your recordings, there should be no reflected sounds arriving at the listening position with a path length less than ten feet (3 meters) longer than the direct path from speaker to listener.

What type of material should be used to cover surfaces within 5 feet of the speakers or listener?

Surfaces within 5 feet of the speakers or listener should be covered with evenly absorbent material to avoid early reflections.

How can I ensure the reflected sounds reach the listener at a later time?

The reflected sound must travel further than the direct sound, so make sure surfaces are covered with absorbent material and use a carpeted floor to absorb floor reflections.