Bass reflections off the wall behind the speakers does not affect perceived image depth. It's the critical midrange where you want to get rid of some reflections.
It all depends on what you call "pleasing" as far as looks.
A few panels of strategically placed Sonex will help immensely.
Some companies make some fabric covered shallow boxes filled with sound absorbent material (fiberglass....) that would do the trick.
Nice Persian carpets, that you so often see in pics of listening rooms, help. |
Williewonka, sorry to have misinterpreted your post and hijacked your thread. Needfreestuff, GIK was one of the firms I consulted and they did indeed recommend fat bass traps on the wall immediately behind my heaad. Problem is, they are visually intrusive and incompatible in a well designed domestic environment IMO. I have bass trapping in the upper room boundaries in the "plant shelving" recesses of my room and it helps a great deal. It works basically like the bass trapping Peter describes. At least I don't have nasty room response problems, the space measures pretty good. I have a medium size 18.5' x 14'room with 11' ceilings. |
Your photo or a stock photo on a panel.
http://www.acoustimac.com/acoustic-panels/acousticart-panels/ |
Have u looked thru the virtual systems for ideas?
In my case; room is 12 x 16 feet, speakers are 3' from wall; toe-in made a great increase in soundstage plus I'm using an equilateral triangle method. As in many of the virtual systems, I used bass traps in corners and 2 vertical DIY vertical panels on wall behind speakers; that wall then disappeared and became like a concert hall.
BUT, the panels are ugly...2 inch foam, mounted on boards that I can stow away when I have visitors. Obviously I'm not married.
"the acoustic designers I consulted seemed to feel that unless one uses massive amounts of bass trapping behind the listening position, one can't effectively ameliorate the total adverse influence of the rear wall."
I am using bass trapping panels and it works for me; in a small room you don't need massive amounts. |
Oooops - sorry for the confusion - I meant the wall behind the speaker. |
Photon,
I'm about 5 feet from the wall behind me when seated, behind me is a row of cabinets and a counter. The space above the top row of cabinets have been stuffed with insulation then the space have been sealed of with cloth creating a very nice bass trap. Its about 12" deep 24" tall and about 20 feet long.
I read the OP was wanting to treat the wall behind the speakers with something to create depth in his soundstage my reason for suggesting the RPG or similar
As alway, Good Listening
Peter
|
I agree, Tom, I think the op is talking about the front wall.
I'd recommend treating the room with bass traps / absorption panels and diffusors. I'm new to room treatments as I just hung my first four panels (gik 244 broad band traps) but I'm totally sold on room treatment now. I think you can gain what your looking for by treating the first reflection points and going from there!
Good Luck! |
Google GIK Acoustics seems you need some large bass traps behind the listening position. Give them a call I believe they can solve your problem. Good Luck |
I think you are making matters worse by confusing what wall the OP is addressing. He really means the front wall (which is the wall behind his front speakers) People on this forum often call the walls by the wrong name. The front wall faces the listener and the rear wall or back wall is behind the listener.
If I am mistaken, I apologize. Maybe the OP can clarify, that way you are all on the same page. |
Peter, the acoustic designers I consulted seemed to feel that unless one uses massive amounts of bass trapping behind the listening position, one can't effectively ameliorate the total adverse influence of the rear wall. Out of curiosity, how close is your listening position to the rear wall? I've wondered how much of the problem can be ameliorated by diffusion, but I keep getting told there needs to be more distance between the diffusers and my listening position for them to be effective (my head's probably 18-24 inches or so from the rear wall.) |
If you want transparent I'd go for a window :-)
Joking aside, In my room I treated the wall behind the speakers with RPG diffusers works like a charm. There are several other options available at lesser cost, if your handy you could even make your own.
Asmuck has a system page built here on Audiogon, where he utilize some of the same ideas- his room is among the best I've heard.
Best of luck
Peter |
After corresponding with a couple of acoustic treatment purveyors, I have despaired of finding any aesthetically acceptable rear wall treatment. Everything recommended is always some four inch or greater thickness monstrosity that looks like someone's hung a cloth covered shipping box on the wall. I have the same situation you do and would love to find some aesthetically acceptable way of reducing the rear wall's audible presence. Closest thing I've found that looks like it might have merit is the ASC Matrix panel. I've not found any feedback or reviews on it however.
http://www.asc-hifi.com/matrix-panel.htm |
not knowing what speakers used u might want to try diffusers instead of using traditional absorbtion...many articles on the net covering this..good luck |
