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Room Acoustics Calculator

Calculate room reverberation time, optimal speaker placement, and acoustic treatment recommendations based on room dimensions

Current RT60
Current RT60
2.02 seconds
Target RT60
0.40 seconds
Additional absorption needed
141.48 sabins
Axial modes
37.7, 47.1, 70.6 Hz
Tangential modes
60.3, 80.0, 84.9 Hz
Oblique modes
92.9, 113.5, 123.6 Hz
Speaker placement
front 2.3 ft, sides 3.0 ft, listening 5.7 ft
Treatment recommendations
Add absorption to reduce reverberation time; Install bass traps in room corners; Add absorption at first reflection points

RT60 uses the original Sabine formula, room modes use 1130 ft/s speed of sound, and speaker placement uses the same 15%/25%/38% rules.

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Results update as you type.

Room Acoustics Calculator

Estimate reverberation time, absorption needs, room modes, and basic speaker placement from room dimensions and surface materials. The calculator is designed for listening rooms, theaters, studios, and live music rooms.

How to use this calculator

Enter room length, width, and height in feet. Choose the room type, wall material, floor material, and ceiling material. Results show current RT60, target RT60, additional absorption needed, axial, tangential, and oblique modes, speaker placement, and treatment recommendations.

Formula

The RT60 estimate uses the Sabine relationship:

RT60=0.049×room volume÷total absorptionRT60 = 0.049 \times room\ volume \div total\ absorption

For a 15 ft by 12 ft by 8 ft listening room with drywall walls, hardwood floor, and drywall ceiling, volume is 1,440 cu ft. The calculator estimates about 2.03 seconds RT60, above the 0.40 second listening-room target, so it recommends added absorption.

Treatment notes

RT60 is only one part of room sound. Early reflections, bass modes, speaker placement, furniture, and listener position matter too. If you are remodeling the space, the paint calculator and square footage calculator can help estimate finish areas.

Frequently asked questions

What does RT60 mean?
RT60 is the estimated time for sound reverberation to decay by 60 decibels in the room.
How does this calculator estimate room acoustics?
It uses room dimensions, material absorption values, the Sabine RT60 formula, target room type, room modes, and simple speaker placement rules.
What room types are supported?
Choose critical listening or studio, home listening room, home theater, or live music room. Each has a different target RT60.
Does it calculate speaker placement?
Yes. It suggests speaker distance from the front wall and side walls and a listening position based on room dimensions.

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Room Acoustics Calculator updated at