Planar Reflector Panels with Convex Edges

When designing rooms for speech or music, acoustical designers often use reflector panels to direct additional sound energy to listeners. Reflector panels introduce some coloration into the reflected signal due to edge diffraction. Furthermore, planar reflector panels reflect sound primarily into a single “specular” reflected direction. This project investigates the reflected sound field from planar acoustical reflectors with rounded reflector edges away from the source side, creating a convex edge. The authors use 2D boundary element method (BEM) sound field simulations to compare the performance of the convex-edged reflectors against flat reflectors. Results show that the convex edge increases nonspecular reflections by 3 dB with each doubling of curvature radius. Because the simulations were run in two dimensions, results generalize only to long reflectors mounted above long sources, such as an orchestra or choir.