For a quick good time, blankets...

I used to drape an old army wool blanket over my TV flat screen since it sits between my speakers and it does make an improvement but I've gotten so lazy that I stopped doing it. The trick is to not overdo it. Case in point: I replaced an overstuffed sofa with some lounge chairs and the sound improved noticeably from the mids on down to the bass. I would never have sold my old speakers had I replaced that sofa first. You never know until you try.

All the best,
Nonoise

Well, I'm not necessarily suggesting a permanent installation, but I forget sometimes how much you can learn about your system without spending any money.

Trying out pillows and blankets or throw rugs can be revealing for no cost. :)

Best,

E

erik, if you have the speakers on hardwood or tile floors, any kind of sound absorption in front and between them on the floor is an absolute requirement. Also, depending on the speaker type, some absorption (or defraction) on the ceilings between/front the speakers will improve the SQ. This is all about removing unwanted floor/ceiling reflections and having them mixed with the direct sound from the speakers as they reach our ears at different times, etc. But you probably knew all this already.

A small flock of sheep also works well, and I found out once (long story) that an unconscious group of fur covered flight attendants absorbs reflections…a large puddle of old soup with a thick mold, burning tires (not indoors please), a sink hole between the speakers has to at the proper depth but is great. I once invited a group of shivering people at a bus stop into a sound check to simulate a crowd, but had to toss 'em out before the show…gotta have a ticket...

When using sheep I've found it best to stay clear of the Merino, English Leicester, Shetland and Awassi breed as they tend to seriously over damp the sound, while the Lleyn, Charollais, Wiltshire, Shropshire and Hampshire tend offer the best compromise in absorption. 

My only caveat is that on rainy days it gets a bit gamey and tends to ruin the whole affair.

All the best,
Nonoise

Make sure you wear your sheep boots!!

Bravo Erik.It's interesting the humorous (or is it humorless) comments made here, when in fact, you've provided a completely cost free method for "all" to learn how to improve the sound of their system regardless of the degree of refinement that have worked towards. With quiet time spent doing what you suggest massive improvements in clarity,detail,nuance,dynamics,soundstage and consequently musicality can be obtained.
Is it possible that those who makes jokes of your valuable (but cost free) insights have a vested financial interest? 

On the lighter side; sometimes I find a cozy pillow and blanket enhance my listening pleasure when used at my listening position. Cheers

A vested financial interest in sheep and flight attendants? I suppose there's a possibility...

Both have their drawbacks. Sheep are disorganized and require herding dogs (German Shepherds, Collies, Rottweiler, etc.) while stewardess are unionized but they do tend to favor the smaller dogs. Much to ponder....

I wrote "Flight Attendants," not stewardesses…in audio you need specificity in the domain of worthwhile tweaks.

Good point. :-)

Bravo Erik on your common-sense post!
Funny, I did just that this weekend. Went to a thrift shop, bought $6 worth of clean, washed and bagged blankets.
(I have posted before about my Vandy 2Cs being hot in the treble).
Well, after hanging a blanket on the front wall, the side walls, and the rear wall covering up the first reflection points, I sat down for a listen...
Amazing, really amazing!
Bass, good, clean, deep bass.
No more treble bite.
Soundstage deeper, wider and taller.
Sounds like a different and much more expensive system.
Midrange clarity, actually top-to-bottom clarity massively improved.
Kudos! Excellent post!!!

Tom

Hi Tom!

Well, you went far and above the point I was trying to make, but I think $6 is well within the spirit of nearly-free tweaks. :)

I'm so glad you found it worthwhile!

Best,


E

I've  heard from multiple realiable sources that virgin wool comes from sheep that can run faster than wolf_garcia. 

Those of you who cover all your walls with blankets are either single or looking for an excuse to become single....

Gotta be better than Sonex, one of the worst materials ever foisted on naive gullible audiophiles. 

Sonex also decomposes over time, leaving a crumbling, gooey mess. Terrible stuff that I still see in recording studios occasionally.

@kalali, Hahaha, yes they are butt-ugly! But, it's a dedicated room, the blankets are temporary guides before I place treatments. My wife says it can't happen soon enough.
Happily married, and plan to stay that way...

@oregonpapa , HAHAHAHA!!! Fast-running sheep!!!

Sonex barely works except as shipping material. Products from GIK Acoustics and ASC however are beautiful marvels.

I think sheep are cute and sometimes funny, but it is pretty surprising to me the apparently deliberate campaign to prevent listeners from trying things out inexpensively.

The gains in acoustic treatment are among the best values in audio.

Best,


E

Are the listeners being blocked by sheep? Or is there an attempt at some form of mirth control?...I think it was oregonpapa that described the technique he recommends when enjoying sheep…something to do with dangerous hillsides or cliffs causing them to back up...

"Gotta be better than Sonex, one of the worst materials ever foisted on naive gullible audiophiles,"

 geoffkait, are you jealous of Sonex?

lpretiring
"Gotta be better than Sonex, one of the worst materials ever foisted on naive gullible audiophiles,"

geoffkait, are you jealous of Sonex?

Maybe.

That was too easy lpretiring

oregonpapa:
" I've  heard from multiple reliable sources that virgin wool comes from sheep that can run faster than wolf_garcia."

Comedy gold!  Well done, oregonpapa! 

     I've also heard reports that wolf's flock of acoustically beneficial sheep has been mysteriously growing over the years. Trusted eye witnesses are claiming many of these younger sheep(?) have opposable thumbs, walk upright and call wolf "Daddy". .. hmm.

Baaaaa

I'm going out on a limb here and say there's a high probability it did not outrun maplegrovemusic.

I am in a wheelchair mr kaitt

maplegrovemusic
I am in a wheelchair Mr. Kait

Was the sheep on roller skates?

@geoffkait  Only in your fantasy world mr kaitt

Lighten up, Beano. Want to race around the block?

I would crush you mr kaitt . My chair has a top speed of 20mph

There it is! That sheep never had a chance.

@geoffkait, OMG...LOL!!!

Tom

Hey Wolf, what's this extreme affinity to sheep..? You heard the story about the shepard who got real lonely on a cold winter night, soft music played and....remembering any fond memories??!!

Hey Erik,

Don't mean to hijack your thread but the blankets worked so well I'm looking at room treatments that don't look like...thrift-store blankets stapled to the walls...
Looking at the London 12 kit from Primacoustics.
So... you, or anyone, have any knowledge of this product?

Thanks very much,
Tom

Try "fight attendants"  (as in boxing, MMA, etc.) for even larger room dampening (and we do mean DAMP) characteristics!

Hey @tomcarr no problem at all.

I don't know about Prima. I found GIK and their prices and effectiveness so reasonable I'm a devoted fanboy. ASC is also very good, but pricey....

GIK also is really super helpful for the novice. Upload pics, diagrams and they'll set you up.

I tried this tweek 25 years ago. Ended up having my 1st child.:)

@acman3 That's the problem with science, danger lurks everywhere.

I think the most overlooked "room treatment " is the area front/between the speakers on the ceiling. Try the blanket treatment, especially if they are standard height, e.g. 8', etc., and near field listening arrangement. Helped my room to sound a tad warmer.

Planar dipole speakers benefit more from diffusion behind them than absorption, assuming they can be 5' or more in front of the wall behind them. That allows them to create the very deep and huge sound stage of which they are capable.

I recall being at a gathering of audiophiles at the home of an audio reviewer. We were well acquainted with the excellent acoustics of the room in which many of the items that he reviewed were auditioned and all of us were surprised at how poorly everything sounded during our session.  The host had generously replaced the hard surfaced chairs on which we normally sat with a beautiful upholstered couch.  We finally realized that the only change to the room was the replacement of the chairs with the couch.  Together, we removed the couch, and voila !!  After listening for an hour or so, we replaced the sofa in the room and everything turned to crap !  I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't been there !  Of course, the couch never was returned to the listening room.

@terraplane8bob,
Interesting! Any chance you can recall the size of the room, and any treatments?

Thank you,
Tom

Interesting thread. Will the blankets stop "slap echo?" Moved into a new home in AZ.  Unfortunately, my listening room is 16' by 16' square, 9 foot ceiling, wall to wall carpet, some drapes. Seems like the slap echo problem is somewhere near  the ceiling edges. I think.....

I forgot to mention my biggest nemesis:

The Coffee Table

I can't really live without one, but when I remember to remove it things get much better.

@mr_m

Well, again, blankets were just a suggestion for skeptics and the inexperienced to learn about room acoustics experimentally. It's not actually THE recommended solution. However, I can see if you are into quilts or museum quality tapestries it might be! :)

For detailed help, and a range of products, contact GIK Acoustics. Great prices, advice and really effective and attractive tools.

Best,


E

Yes, the coffee table!
I got rid of mine, and it helped, a lot.
But, mine is a dedicated room. Easy to ditch something pretty when WAF doesn't come into play...

Tom