A series of monaural and binaural acoustical measurements were taken at several source locations and multiple receiver locations in lecture halls, theaters, and multi-use rooms using the acoustical research instrumentation for architectural spaces (ARIAS) system. The rooms studied included a fire stair, small class rooms, lecture halls, theaters, and large, multi-use auditoria among others. Measurements of reverberation time, early decay time, early to late temporal energy ratios at various time periods, center time, lateral energy fractions, loudness, and interaural cross correlations were made. Reflectograms for locations within each room were also made. Summary graphs showing ranges of each measurement within each of the rooms and discussion of similarities and differences among the groups of rooms will be presented. [Work supported by the National Science Foundation.]

A dedicated, computer-based analysis system was developed to perform a complete set of acoustical measurements of recent interest in full-size rooms and in scale models of rooms. The measurements included reverberation time, early reverberation time, loudness, early to late temporal energy ratios, lateral energy fractions, interaural cross correlation, and speech transmission index among others. Measurements were made at multiple locations in ten large concert halls. Groups of listeners evaluated live music performances at three locations in each of the rooms using a seven point semantic differential rating scale. Correlation analysis and statistical modeling identified significant relationships among the qualities of the music in the room rated by the listeners with the physical measurements made in the rooms. Variations of subjective qualities were identified among the different rooms and within each of the rooms as well. The subjective qualities that contributed to overall acoustical impression were also identified. [Work supported by NSF.]

A dedicated, computer-based system was developed to perform a complete set of acoustical measurements of recent interest in full-sized rooms and in scale models of rooms. The measurements included reverberation time, early reverberation time, loudness, early-to-late temporal energy ratios, lateral energy fractions, interaural cross correlation, and speech transmission index, among others. Measurements were made at multiple locations in four large multiuse halls with different variable acoustics features. Measurements were made with and without an orchestral shell in place, with a concert wall in use, with a ceiling lowered to close off the upper part of a balcony, with curtains raised and lowered on the walls of a room, and with a curtain used to close off the rear position of a large room. Changes in the various measurements at equivalent seating locations will be presented. The magnitude of the changes are compared to changes perceived by listeners of various acoustical qualities in a recent study [R. P. Cervone et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 89, 1857 (A) (1991)]. [Work supported by NSF.]

Speech intelligibility tests were given to groups of college students in ten classrooms and lecture halls of various sizes on the University of Florida campus. A series of acoustical measurements including reverberation time, early reverberation time, loudness, early to late temporal energy ratios, lateral energy fractions, interaural cross correlation, and speech transmission index were made at multiple locations in each of the rooms. Correlation analysis and statistical modeling identified significant relationships among intelligibility scores of the listeners with the physical measurements made in the room. Special attention was given to the architectural characteristics of the rooms in the analysis. The variations in intelligibility scores and the physical measurements among the different rooms and within each of the rooms are presented. [Work supported by NSF.]

A 1:24 scale model of a proposed design for the Lyric Theater in the Escondido Civic Center was constructed. Acoustical tests were performed in the model early in the design process to facilitate discussions among the design team. Modifications to the model were made as the design progressed and several subsequent series of tests were performed. The acoustical effects of the design changes were documented. The theater was tested at several source and receiver locations in configurations for theater and concert. The paper will show the progressive changes made in the building as the final design evolved.