Simple Explanation

A type of sound that comes evenly from all directions, with no clear source or direction.

Concise Technical Definition

A sound field in which sound energy is evenly distributed and arrives at a point from all directions with equal probability and intensity.

Layman-Friendly Analogy

Like being in a room where you can’t tell where the music is coming from—it just seems to surround you from everywhere.

Industry Usage Summary

In acoustics, a diffuse sound field is desirable in spaces like concert halls or control rooms where uniform sound distribution helps maintain consistent listening conditions. It is often created or enhanced using diffusers.

Engineering Shortcut

Diffuse sound = uniform, non-directional sound field.

Full Technical Explanation

Diffuse sound refers to a condition in a sound field where sound waves arrive uniformly from all directions with equal energy distribution. This creates an environment where the sound pressure level is the same throughout the space and there's no perceptible directionality. In practice, perfect diffusion is theoretical, but it's approximated in spaces with many reflective and scattering surfaces, or when artificial diffusers are used. Such fields are used for standardized acoustic measurements and in spaces designed for natural, immersive listening.