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Question about acoustic panels
I'm looking to add some room treatment to tame what I would describe as muddy bass in a small room (12'x14'). I'm looking on the ATS site and they have acoustic panels in which they offer in the thickness of 4" at a price starting at $42.45. The description states "the added thickness increases absorption at low frequencies.
They also have 4" thick bass traps that start at $60.95.
For the savings of 18.5 per panel, could I get away with using the regular acoustic panels, or would I be better off spending the extra money and going for the bass traps.
Thank you.
3 responses Add your response
From your description, thin wall panels are the wrong way to go. If your room is a simple shoebox, go here:
https://amcoustics.com/tools/amroc?l=14&w=12&h=9&ft=true&r60=0.6 Then do a few things:
Your first nodes (assuming 9’ ceiling) are 40, 45 and 60 Hz. Those are too low for most panels and even some bass traps so looking at the specs of anything you buy will be important. Measure what’s going on with this in mind. If you find you have big peaks at the listening area these are EASY to take out with EQ. Alternatively, consider big corner bass traps. At GIK this would be soffit traps, tri-traps but also the monster traps. Keep your 3 modes in mind though. It’s hard to find panels that work below 80 Hz so don’t skimp here. You’ll just suck out the midbass and treble. Traditional panels will reduce mid-treble, so if you already feel you have too much bass they are going to be the wrong way to go at first. Take as many of the steps above first, then treat with a mixture of absorbers and diffusors. Now, after you've measured and adjusted you may find your fine with the bass below 80 Hz but are having issues around 80Hz and higher. Here's where your normal wall panels start to work well. Remember that absorbers subtract, so if you get panels which reduce a lot of treble your room will sound more present and bass-y. If you get panels which reduce the mid bass the bass and treble will sound boosted. Also, include diffusion between your speakers, and don't forget the ceiling especially between listener and speakers. PS - There’s always someone who says you can’t deal with room modes with EQ. They are ill informed on a theoretical level as well as a practical level. You can deal with peaks alone with EQ. You need bass traps to help deal with nulls though. |
You are on right track with the thickness, as thin panels only treat high frequencies. 6" panels would be even better. However, you can attain, (to a degree), a better sounding room by just using common furnishings such as pillows, throws and blankets. Also stuffed furniture. These things will quell and/or absorb some of these lower frequencies, improving your rooms response. |