diff --git a/Docs/README.xmlsound b/Docs/README.xmlsound
index 23a725e02..c36c791ae 100644
--- a/Docs/README.xmlsound
+++ b/Docs/README.xmlsound
@@ -257,13 +257,17 @@ Configuration description:
 
 
    <reference-dist>
-        Set a reference distance of sound in meters.  This is the
-        distance where the gain/volume will be halved.  This can be
-        useful for limiting cockpit sounds to the cockpit.
+        Set a reference distance of sound in meters. This is the
+        distance where the volume is at its maximum.
+        Volume is clamped to this maximum for any distance below.
+        Volume is attenuated for any distance above.
+        Attenuation depends on reference and maximum distance. See
+        OpenAL specification on "AL_INVERSE_DISTANCE_CLAMPED" mode
+        for details on exact computation.
 
    <max-dist>
         Set the maximum audible distance for the sound in meters.
-        This can be useful for limiting cockpit sounds to the cockpit.
+        Sound is cut-off above this distance.
 
 
 Creating a configuration file: