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Another room treatment convert

I made my first voyage into room treatment today with setting up five 2' x 4' x 2" 2.5# density panels (ATS Acoustics) in my listening room-balcony. The balcony is 13.5 x 16 x 8 feet with my back toward the balcony rail overlooking the great room below(no wall behind me, just a vaulted ceiling).

Impressive & positive difference compared to the sound of the system previously...which was already pretty good. The sound is tighter & more defined(articulate) from top to bottom. For less than $300 bucks I'd give the investment "two thumbs way up". I'll be ordering a couple more 2 x 2 panels to finish things off. Then DIY bass traps are next once the raw materials arrive.

Speakers are Snell Type A's on the long wall. Tube CDP & pre with a DNA-1 amp. The wide dispersion of the speakers & size of the room resulted in first reflection issues & some flutter echo from the mostly empty walls. I also have a narrow window on center behind the speakers & this gave me some glare, particularly with vocals. No more. MUCH better.

If anyone is sizing up that next power cord, set of matched tubes, pair of speaker cables, or audio rack, and you haven't addressed room treatment, I'd go for the room treatment first. Minimal investment for such a significant improvement.

It might too bold to say that many of the standard system tweaks or upgrades may be premature (or misguided) without room treatment being addressed...but given the impact I'm hearing I have to believe it's at least partially true.
fishboat

Showing 4 responses by fishboat

fishboat OP
245 posts
 
Ng,

The bass traps will be:

superchunks

I'm using 6# mineral wool about 60 inches high + 4" legs under the base platform. They will look somewhat like pieces of furniture with respect to the legs & trim. They will be free standing & off the room corners (behind speakers) about 1-2 inches, 24" face, 17" deep on each side (in a triangle).

I'll probably use some of the leftover wool to make some sort of light flat 'pillow' to hang from the ceiling to address those reflection points. I'm seeking 'professional help' on the house interior...maybe the ceiling panels will match the window treatments...or...not...
fishboat OP
245 posts
 
Newbee,

If you listen to Eric Winer he suggests that virtually all people have bass problems whether they realize it or not. Typically bass traps are best placed in vertical corners or horizontal corners at the ceiling...or the tri-corner at the ceiling. You can 'protect' the mids & highs from being impacted by bass traps by placing a porous, but reflective surface on part or all of the front of the bass trap.

With respect to your last paragraph...I'm not completely sure of what you're trying to say...but my gut says it doesn't 'sound' right...so to speak.

Picked up the mineral wool tonight. Now if the weather will break so I can cut the stuff outside.
fishboat OP
245 posts
 
Newbee,
Can't disagree with the second explanation. The first go 'round sounded to me like you'd treat the right side wall(reflections..), but not the left..etc. That would be a little twisted..so to speak.

The partial treatment approach may fail when it comes to ceilings & a carpeted floor as the carpet won't help the first reflections there.

In the end, treatment is all relative to the listening position...whatever makes sense.
fishboat OP
245 posts
 
Here is some associated data. Looks to be no worse than other options & better than many commercial products.

compare

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