Calculate the reverberation time of your space
Half a second of reverberation feels comfortable; above one second it starts to bother. Our free calculator shows you in thirty seconds where your room stands and how much acoustic surface makes the difference, based on the scientifically grounded Sabine model.
DotDotDo®
Room size
25 m²
Room type
Ceiling height
acoustic.result_label
Noticeable difference
Before
1,03 s
After
0,93 s
Reverberation time reduction
9,1 %
This calculation is indicative and based on the Sabine model. Actual results vary depending on room geometry, furniture, and panel placement.
Which sizes suit your space?
DotDotDo® formats of more than 1.6 m² that deliver at least 7% reverberation reduction in your space.
For a space this large, no standard size is sufficient on its own. Please request personal advice.
Request personal adviceSimply explained
What is reverberation time (RT60)?
RT60 is the time it takes for sound to decrease by 60 decibels after the source stops. The longer that time, the more echo you experience. This makes speech harder to follow and the space feels restless. A short reverberation sounds clear and pleasant.
When do you actually hear the difference?
Up to 5% reduction you will barely notice anything. Between 5% and 10% it becomes perceptible, above 10% clearly audible, and from 20% reduction the effect is unmistakable. These thresholds come from psychoacoustic research (Barron & Lee, ISO 3382-1).
What does the Sabine model tell you, and what does it not?
The Sabine model calculates reverberation time based on the volume of a space and the total absorbing surface. It works well for typical rooms with a reverberation between 0.3 and 2 seconds, but does not account for the exact distribution of absorption or unusual geometries. The result is therefore indicative, not a measurement.
Let's DotDotDo it together!
Prefer to talk to a person? Our advisors are happy to think along with you, from colour and size to placement and mounting.
Frequently asked questions about acoustics
How many acoustic panels do I need for my living room?
That depends on the size, ceiling height and how furnished the space is. As a rule of thumb, an averagely furnished living room of 25 to 35 m² needs around 3 to 6 m² of absorbing surface for a clearly audible difference. The calculator above gives you an indicative recommendation tailored to your space.
What is a good reverberation time for a living room or office?
For living spaces and offices, an RT60 of 0.4 to 0.6 seconds is generally considered comfortable. Above one second, speech becomes harder to follow and the space feels echoey. Classrooms and meeting rooms often aim a little lower, around 0.4 seconds.
Does this also help with noise from neighbours?
No. Acoustic panels absorb sound within a space and thereby reduce reverberation. Sound travelling through walls, floors or ceilings is a matter of sound insulation, a different problem that unfortunately cannot be solved with wall decoration.
How accurate is this calculation?
The tool uses the Sabine model with an NRC coefficient of 0.6 (measured according to ISO 354). It is an indicative estimate; room geometry, furniture and placement can cause the actual result to deviate by 15 to 20%. For more precise advice, you can get in touch at the bottom of this page.
Does acoustic felt work better on the wall or on the ceiling?
Both work. What matters is that the absorption faces the largest reflective surfaces. In rooms with lots of glass or a hard floor, wall placement usually yields the most. With a low ceiling and a hard finish, ceiling absorption can be just as effective.
DDD
What an incredibly awesome product! We’re so happy with it!
Viola
Truly a little gift. And soooo much fun to assemble!
Alex
Quick comms and great service! Also nice to create something yourself.
Barbara
Free personal interior and acoustic advice
Our interior and acoustic experts are happy to think along with you. Fill in your email address and we will contact you within 1 working day for personal advice, free of charge.
