Feedback on Costco & Amazon sound absorption panels from folks who have purchased them.

@rvpiano 

To optimize sound quality in a listening room, acoustic panels should be strategically placed to absorb sound reflections and reduce echoes. Key areas to focus on include first reflection points on side walls, the rear wall, and sometimes the ceiling. Consider using panels on the back wall to prevent strong reflections, and in corners for bass absorption. 

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

1. First Reflection Points: 

• Side Walls:

  Place panels at the points where sound waves first bounce off the walls after leaving the speakers. This helps prevent comb filtering and other issues caused by reflections. 

• Mirror Trick:

  Use a mirror to identify these points by sitting in your listening position and having someone move a mirror along the wall until you can see the speakers. 

2. Rear Wall: 

• Absorption:

  Treat the back wall to prevent strong reflections that can muddy the sound. 

• Bass Traps:

  In corners, consider using bass traps for more effective low-frequency absorption. 

3. Ceiling: 

• Ceiling Clouds: A ceiling cloud can help minimize reflections from above, especially in rooms with high ceilings. 

4. Other Considerations: 

• Floor:

  A rug or carpet under the listening position can absorb first reflections from the floor, but avoid carpeting the entire floor as it primarily absorbs high frequencies. 

• Speaker Placement:

  Strategic speaker placement is crucial for overall sound quality, so consider the Golden Triangle method. 

• Symmetry:

  If possible, try to maintain symmetry in the placement of panels on the left and right sidewalls. 

• Acoustic Measurements:

  Measuring the room response after treatment can help you fine-tune your panel placement and coverage. 

You can watch this video to learn more about acoustic panel placement: 

30s

GIK Acoustics

YouTube · Jun 28, 2021

I would like to comment that after putting up 12 703 panels in my room,was one of the most transformative experiences to date. And truly, one of the most inexpensive tweaks that one could do. Getting a fabric that breathes such as burlap is just as important as the fiberglass panel. A good measure is to put the fabric up to your mouth and breathe in and out. There should be no restrictions in your airflow. The sound has to get into the fiberglass to do any good. Along with a nice thick rug, putting panels on the ceiling, known as clouds are just as important. Seems that you have a Costco it stands a reason that you have a commercial insulation distributor. I was able to get a better price than what is available on Amazon. At the end of all this, if you are not a DIY kind of person, even though this is a level One difficulty.  I recommend that you use a company like GIK or it’s equivalent. What’s good about these guys? Is you tell them about your room and they shoot you a suggestion based on science 🧫. Taking the guess work And research one needs to do. good luck in your endeavors, such a lucky man to have such a blank canvas.