Is room treatment a science?

Is a $4,000,000,  2000 seat auditorium trial and error or scientific.?

"Is a $4,000,000, 2000 seat auditorium trial and error or scientific.?"

It depends how they went around the volume of bodies expected to be in and material that clothes would be likely made of while there.

yes, it's a science. But you can diy, cheaply and simply and hear an improvement/difference.
It's easier to take brightness and echo out of a room, I would think, than the other way 'round.
Having a large rug on the floor helps.
Artwork on the walls helps.
Seating arrangement helps and the style of seating helps too.
I really notice a difference by pulling the curtains across the sliding glass doors. Stops reflection and harshness..

That Geddes book is a gold mine! If only I had known- and it had come out a dozen years earlier! Lol!  Oh well at least I got the solid wood exterior door with weather seal!! 

Yes, room treatment it is a science.  Do yourself a huge favor, and download REW software and learn how to use it and interpret the data.   Start by optimizing the position of your speakers and listening position, then begin to add treatments addressing first reflection points, slap echo etc.  Sometimes, you can get surprising improvements by careful positioning of room treatments other than the listening position.  

You can do a certain amount without measuring, but it can be slow progress.   Most of us can discern small differences for the better or worse by ear.  But after a while, it can get to be mind boggling to keep track of.  There are so many variables.   I like graphs that I can archive along with notes on listening impressions associated with a given room configuration.  I can tell you my room is orders of magnitude better than when I started, and I never would have gotten where I am now without REW.  If you invest a little time and effort you won't be sorry.