Combined wave and ray based room acoustic simulations of small rooms

The present thesis establishes a complete framework for the combination of finite element and classical ray based acoustic simulations in small rooms and discusses the inherent challenges and limitations including all aspects of sound generation, sound reflection and sound reception. In this context, the thesis gives detailed guidelines for the best-possible determination of all necessary input data for both simulation domains. The overall potential of the presented combined approach is assessed by conducting extensive objective and subjective comparisons of measurement and simulation results for three types of acoustically relevant small spaces (a scale-model reverberation room, a recording studio and two different car passenger compartments).