The importance and influence of detail in room acoustic calculations – A comparison between grosser musikverein saal and the new concert hall in Malmö

Paper i proceeding, 2018

The importance of detail in room acoustic models is a topic that has been discussed since the invention of geometrical based room acoustic software. The topic is further complicated by the different available software with various algorithms for diffusion and edge diffraction, treating smaller surfaces and objects in different ways. Today it is possible to use a laser-scanning method to achieve any kind of desired detail in three dimensional models of existing halls. The mentioned method was applied in the design of the acoustics in the new concert hall in Malmö, which used Grosser Musikverein Saal as a reference. Many of the orchestra members in Malmö had played in the Grosser Musikverein Saal and mentioned it as their favorite hall. The hall contains many diffusing elements including ornate sculptures. An important challenge in the planning of the new hall in Malmö was to create comparable diffusing elements with contemporary design. This paper will present room acoustic calculations regarding the Musikverein Saal and Malmö hall with varied degrees of detailing in the models as well as calculations in various software. The paper will also present comparisons regarding the podium acoustics of the two halls. The expectations of the acoustics in Malmö were very high, and the results were in acoustical quality comparable to Musikverein and even exceeded expectations.