More Measurements on Audience and Seat Absorption

I NTRODUC'I IONTwo medium sized auditoria are nearing completion in the north of England; namely at the Town Hall in Bolton and at the Sands Centre in Carlisle.Samples 'of seating for both auditorla were supplied by the manufacturer for sound absorption measurements in the large (2251:?)reverberation chamber at Salford University.Fortunately, it was possible to retain the seating for experimental measurements so that var-ions alternative configurations could be tested in addition to the usual central sample layout.This opportunity.in conjunction with thepossibility of comparing the results with measurements in the auditoria themselves before and after the installation of seating, provided the incentive to take another overall look at seating absorption and its measurement.The data collected has been compared with absorption figures for seating from other laboratories and auditoria. DESIGN FEATURES OF THE AUDITORIA AT BOLTON MD CARLISLEBefore discussing the results of the seating absorption measurements, it is worth outlining the general design features of the Bolton and Carlisle auditoria where the two types of seating are now installed.Bolton Town Hall is a grand Victorian building which originally housed a traditional 'shoe-box' shaped auditorium typical of many 19th century halls.The 17in high ceiling of the auditorium ensured a long reverberation time which was suitable for then-fashionable organ recitals.Unfortunately the building.