Effect of spectral overlap on the echo suppression threshold for single reflection conditions

In performing arts venues, the spectra of direct and reflected sound at a receiving location differ, due to seat dip effect, diffusive and absorptive surfaces, and source directivity. This paper examines the influence of differing lead and lag spectral contents on echo suppression threshold. The results indicate, that for a highpass filtered direct sound and a broadband reflection, attenuation of low frequencies initially results in an increase in echo suppression threshold, while for higher cutoff frequencies echo suppression threshold drastically decreases. For broadband direct sound and filtered reflections, the echo suppression threshold is inversely related to high frequency content. (C) 2013 Acoustical Society of America