Uncertainty of in situ low frequency reverberation time measurements from 20 Hz – An empirical study; Part II: Impulse response method

An important part of evaluating impact sound insulation is to measure the reverberation time in the receiving room. The increasing trend of using wooden structures for residential buildings has made it increasingly important to have control of the measurement procedure at low frequencies. The present ISO standards do not give any specific guidelines for how to deal with frequencies below 50 Hz. It cannot be taken for granted that the present guidelines developed for higher frequencies are also appropriate for lower frequencies. This paper includes an empirical study of the spatial variation of reverberation time, measured from 20 Hz in two different rooms, with about 100 microphone positions in each room. The results from two alternative methods are compared, based upon the impulse response and the interrupted noise respectively. The accuracy of an intended normal measurement procedure is estimated with respect to the number of microphone positions.