Room Mode Calculator
Calculate standing waves and resonance frequencies for your studio or listening room.
6 dense clusters (≤5 Hz apart) — overlapping resonances are harder to treat evenly.
Typical seat response
All modes ≤250 Hz · relative dB · speaker ~25% depth, seat at 38% rule
| Frequency | Mode (nx, ny, nz) | Type | Relative energy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34.3 Hz | (1,0,0) | axial | 100% (High) |
| 42.9 Hz | (0,1,0) | axial | 100% (High) |
| 54.9 Hz | (1,1,0) | tangential | 50% (Medium) |
| 66 Hz | (0,0,1) | axial | 100% (High) |
| 68.6 Hz | (2,0,0) | axial | 100% (High) |
| 74.3 Hz | (1,0,1) | tangential | 50% (Medium) |
| 78.7 Hz | (0,1,1) | tangential | 50% (Medium) |
| 80.9 Hz | (2,1,0) | tangential | 50% (Medium) |
| 85.8 Hz | (0,2,0) | axial | 100% (High) |
| 85.8 Hz | (1,1,1) | oblique | 25% (Low) |
| 92.4 Hz | (1,2,0) | tangential | 50% (Medium) |
| 95.2 Hz | (2,0,1) | tangential | 50% (Medium) |
| 102.9 Hz | (3,0,0) | axial | 100% (High) |
| 104.4 Hz | (2,1,1) | oblique | 25% (Low) |
| 108.2 Hz | (0,2,1) | tangential | 50% (Medium) |
| 109.8 Hz | (2,2,0) | tangential | 50% (Medium) |
| 111.5 Hz | (3,1,0) | tangential | 50% (Medium) |
| 113.5 Hz | (1,2,1) | oblique | 25% (Low) |
| 122.2 Hz | (3,0,1) | tangential | 50% (Medium) |
| 128.1 Hz | (2,2,1) | oblique | 25% (Low) |
| 128.6 Hz | (0,3,0) | axial | 100% (High) |
| 129.5 Hz | (3,1,1) | oblique | 25% (Low) |
| 131.9 Hz | (0,0,2) | axial | 100% (High) |
| 133.1 Hz | (1,3,0) | tangential | 50% (Medium) |
| 133.9 Hz | (3,2,0) | tangential | 50% (Medium) |
| 136.3 Hz | (1,0,2) | tangential | 50% (Medium) |
| 137.2 Hz | (4,0,0) | axial | 100% (High) |
| 138.7 Hz | (0,1,2) | tangential | 50% (Medium) |
| 142.9 Hz | (1,1,2) | oblique | 25% (Low) |
| 143.7 Hz | (4,1,0) | tangential | 50% (Medium) |
122 modes below 250 Hz, Schroeder crossover at ~175 Hz.
Preview only — open the 3D builder for full placement, treatment, and analysis.
What is a room mode?
A room mode is a low-frequency standing wave formed when sound reflects between parallel walls. Modes create bass peaks (+12 dB) and nulls (-24 dB) at different spots in your room.
Types of room modes
- Axial modes (strongest): reflect between 2 opposing parallel walls. They create the largest bass peaks and nulls.
- Tangential modes (medium): reflect off 4 walls. They carry half the energy of axial modes.
- Oblique modes (weakest): reflect off all 6 surfaces (4 walls, floor and ceiling).
Schroeder crossover frequency
The Schroeder frequency (typically 100 Hz to 250 Hz in small rooms) marks the boundary below which room acoustics are dominated by individual standing waves. Below , use thick corner bass traps. Above , use standard acoustic panels.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a room mode?
- A room mode is a natural acoustic standing wave created when sound waves reflect between parallel surfaces (walls, floor, ceiling) in a room. At specific mode frequencies, sound waves constructively interfere, causing severe bass peaks and nulls at different listening positions.
- How do you calculate room mode frequencies?
- Room mode frequencies are calculated using the Rayleigh shoebox equation: f = (c / 2) * sqrt((nx/L)^2 + (ny/W)^2 + (nz/H)^2), where c is the speed of sound (343 m/s at 20°C), L, W, H are room dimensions in meters, and nx, ny, nz are integers representing the harmonic mode numbers.
- What is the Schroeder crossover frequency?
- The Schroeder frequency (f_s) marks the boundary between low-frequency discrete room modes and high-frequency specular sound reflections. Below the Schroeder frequency (typically 100 Hz to 250 Hz in home studios), room acoustics are dominated by standing wave resonances.