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a $850,000 pipe organ by Lively-Fulcher Organbuilders of Alexandria, Virginia

" The acoustical characteristics of the cruciform church were described as exceptional by the installers of the 2,500-pipe organ, installed by the Lively-Fulcher Organ builders of Alexandra, Va. The reverberation delay is three seconds when empty and two seconds when the church is full, the international standard for most music"

a pic

apple or anyone, I realize this is a quote from that link but how can this be possible?

Sure, the sound changes when a hall is full or empty because sound reflection depends on the reflecting surface.
Some surfaces absorb more sound than others.
A thousand wood seat backs results in a different sound than if those seats are full of people.

But . . .

How can the reflection time change?

Time is determined by distance of the furthest wall.
Filling a hall with people does not move that far wall closer.

I think whoever wrote this was not thinking clearly.
Or perhaps I'm confused.

Anyone?

but sound is absorbed by the people before it gets to a wall again and again as echoes echo.

"Reverberation" and "Reflection" are related but different. As you point out, single reflection time is purely a function of distance. "Reverberation" is normally defined as the time required for the sound field to diminish by 60db, however much it may bounce around during that time. It tends to decrease both with smaller dimensions and with greater sound absorption, e.g. people in the room. Hope this clarifies a bit.

What is a good size of piano for a home?

Depends on the home. This one is 20 minutes away from me and its 47,0000 sq feet.

There is a tunnel going from the house to the pool which part of the gym is under ground.

In the center of the home is a large room with two pianos. I purchased the concert grand a while back.
BTW the home is for sale, I was not able to afford the piano and the house

I think I know the house: it's out Abbotsford and both pianos I think were Yamahas?

Anyways, you see hardwood floors, vaulted ceiling - the owner was a music lover and had concerts happening in his home.

KawaiDon gave good advice, I wouldn't worry about the size as long as everything else checks out well.

I have some customers who bought very large pianos like the Grotrian and very much like these large beasts - one of them is even a 9'concert.

Another one plays his piano with the lid down appreciating its wonderful and powerful bass.

Bigger *can* be better....

Good luck!

Norbert

I hope it's not too off topic to say that, while living with my mother, I had my new piano delivered (a modest upright for a teensy tiny English room); size to her didn't matter. All she said was: "Why didn't you get a white one?" Doh!

First I'd say you have to LOVE the piano, other suggestions such as a trial in your home, technician's imput sound great!! Good luck!!!! I hope it's the start of a beautiful relationship!

~Hazel

Hazel's dumb piano blog: http://hazelquinn.bravejournal.com

I hope it's not too off topic to say that, while living with my mother, I had my new piano delivered (a modest upright for a teensy tiny English room); size to her didn't matter. All she said was: "Why didn't you get a white one?" Doh!

First I'd say you have to LOVE the piano, other suggestions such as a trial in your home, technician's imput sound great!! Good luck!!!! I hope it's the start of a beautiful relationship!

~Hazel

Hazel's dumb piano blog: http://hazelquinn.bravejournal.com

One was a Yamaha Disklavier, the one I purchased was a 12 year old Steinway "D"

The ceiling is a huge hand sculpted "Clam Shell"
that they were told would be good for the acoustics of the huge room. I would say the room is around 3000 sq ft.

Kenny

It's funny you mentioned that.
UV windows are not adequate.
It just so happens that I have had to refinish the cabinet because of sun/heat damage. The lacquer had cracked all along the treble side and actually took out the black pigment from the lacquer, especially around the brass Steinway & Sons inlay. In some places you could see through to the maple.

We are actually shipping the piano to a new home on Tuesday. A young man with great parents is the proud new owner. He is a promising music major at Mcgill University.