Reverberation is the presence of sound after its source has stopped – much like an echo effect. With a story being told through dialogue, you can’t have a good movie-going experience without understanding the conversations from one scene to the next. For example, imagine a movie has an earthshaking storm scene which quickly cuts to a conversation between the two main characters. With the echo of the storm still moving through the auditorium, chances are you won’t be able to hear what could be the best part of the movie.

THX Certified Cinemas control this reverberation effect with the installation of absorption material placed along the auditorium walls. Often times this extra step requires cinemas to add more material to specific locations within the auditorium.

Acoustical paneling controls reverberation, or echo effect, in a THX Certified Cinema.	Sound bounces off the walls without acoustical paneling, interfering with the movie's soundtrack.