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RT60 (Reverberation Time)

The time required for sound pressure level to decay by 60 decibels after a sound stops.

By roomtreatment.diy editorial team ·

RT60 is the standard metric measuring reverberation decay in a space. It represents the duration in seconds for sound energy to drop 60 dB. Ideal RT60 for control rooms is 0.2s to 0.4s, while home theaters target 0.3s to 0.5s.

The formula

RT60=0.161VA(Sabine Formula)RT_{60} = 0.161 \frac{V}{A} \quad \text{(Sabine Formula)}

How it works

Calculated using Sabine or Eyring equations, RT60 depends on total room volume (V) and total absorption units (A) provided by walls, furniture, and porous acoustic panels.

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References

  1. ISO 3382-1: Performance measurement of reverberation time

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