Radiation Space in a Room
Because the space has a strong effect on the radiation, it is important to understand the initial conditions. The radiation space is typically characterised by a rough estimate of the solid angle (part of a sphere) into which the loudspeaker is radiating (see below). As the loudspeaker- subwoofer is driven, it creates a certain volume flow, which naturally spreads into all directions. When the space seen by the loudspeaker is limited and at the same time the total power is kept identical, the energy density (intensity) in the limited radiation space increases. Hence, reducing the radiation space increases Sound Pressure Level (SPL). Every halving of the radiation space doubles the SPL. |
| Spherical loading Free-space (4pi) Free-standing |
Hemispherical loading Half-space (2pi) Flush-mounting |
2 walls loading Quarter-space (pi) Floor / wall |
3 walls loading 1/8th-space (pi/2) Floor / 2 walls |
Concerning the usual placement of a loudspeaker/subwoofer, we notice that:
- Against one solid boundary, which is large compared to the wavelength, the radiation space is 2pi, and the theoretical amplitude gain is +6 dB at low frequencies. This applies typically to flush mounting.
- A subwoofer is typically placed on the floor and against a wall, hence we get two boundaries, and the radiation is now into the solid angle of pi, and the amplitude gain is +12 dB.
- If a loudspeaker or a subwoofer is located in a corner, on the floor, the radiation space is again halved (pi/2) and the amplitude gain is then +18 dB.
The radiation space depends on frequency and therefore it is important to be able to correct the response of the loudspeaker/subwoofer so that the final in-room frequency response stays as flat as possible. To do so, all Genelec monitors have versatile room response controls to take care of these changes in radiation spaces.
