Sabin (unit)

The sabin is defined as a unit of sound absorption. Sabins could be calculated with either imperial or metric units. One square foot of 100% absorbing material has a value of one Sabin. One square metre of 100% absorbing material has a value of one metric sabin. The unit is named in honor of Wallace Clement Sabine. The total absorption in metric sabins can be calculated by:

A=S₁α₁+S₂α₂+...+S_nα_n=ΣS_iα_i

where

A = the absorption of the room (m² metric sabin)

S_n = area of the actual surface (m²)

α_n = absorption coefficient of the actual surface

Sabins are used in calculating the reverberation time of concert halls, lecture theatres, etcetera.

References

• Definition
• Davis, D. and C. Davis. (1987) Sound System Engineering 2nd ed. Page 168.

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