Absorption
Converting acoustic energy into heat to reduce reflections and shorten reverb
Related
Absorption turns incoming acoustic energy into a little heat, reducing reflections and shortening reverb. Porous materials such as mineral wool, glass fibre and heavy curtains work on mid and high frequencies; their thickness sets how far down they remain effective.
Placement usually targets first reflection points, the ceiling and corners. Thin foam removes only the top end, leaving a dull sound with proportionally more bass. Total area and position matter more than the brand, and left and right walls should stay symmetrical.
The usual mistake is confusing absorption with soundproofing. Absorption governs sound inside the room; how much neighbours hear depends on wall mass and isolation construction.
Sources
- 吸声材料与频率特性，参 Everest & Pohlmann, Master Handbook of Acoustics；本文为原创表述
Used for fact-checking only; all prose is original.