Echo and Reverberation
An echo is a distinct reflected sound heard after a delay. Reverberation is the persistence of many reflections in a closed space. The delay depends on distance to the reflecting surface.
Try the simulator
Echo and Reverberation
Distance to wall; time delay; echo vs reverberation.
Echo vs reverberation
An echo is when a single reflection is heard as a distinct repeat of the original sound; this usually requires the reflecting surface to be far enough that the delay (2d/v for distance d, speed v) is noticeable (e.g. ≥ 0.1 s). Reverberation is the overlapping of many reflections in a room, so the sound seems to "linger" rather than producing a clear second copy.
✔ Key takeaway: Echo = distinct delayed reflection; reverberation = many overlapping reflections in a space.
Link to simulator: Adjust the distance to the wall and watch the delay and the echo vs reverberation condition.