Category: Diffusers

Quadratic Sound Diffusion

Quadratic diffusers are composed of a series of wells or troughs. Each well depth is based upon quarter wavelength rules and each well width is based upon half-wavelength rules. The well depths and widths are based upon prime numbers. The formula to calculate the widths and depths is a complicated formula and too complicated to go into for this discussion. Suffice it to say that quadratic diffusers are based upon prime numbers such as 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, etc. The larger the prime number, the lower the frequency response the diffuser works at. Diffusers have frequency responses just like speakers. Speakers produce energy using power and a moving diaphragm. Diffusers take the energy that goes into them and then redistributes that energy out into the room just like a speaker. If the quadratic diffuser is placed vertically, the energy is spread out horizontally. If the diffuser is positioned horizontally, it distributes sound energy into the room in a vertical hemispherical array. If you combine both vertical and horizontal diffusers within your room, you can create a two dimensional sound field of diffusion.