Room acoustics

I just got some diffusers from them. I think the GIK products are OK for the money, though if you're willing to pay more you can get more. But my question is, why would you treat echoes with acoustical treatment and not change the decor? Not that acoustical treatment isn't the best option sonically, but it seems to me you can get rid of problems like echo in more wife-friendly ways with wall hangings, carpets, and the like.

If not, well, maybe you can disguise them.

I think calling Jim Smith is an excellent idea, BTW, if it's in your budget. Unless you're willing to spend a lot of time reading acoustics texts and buy measuring equipment, it isn't that easy to treat your own room. And even those of us who have done that don't have the vast experience of someone like Jim.

It wouuld also help to know something about the problems. I took "living space of echos" to indicate problems with a large, underdamped/underdiffused space, quite possibly with some very reflective tile and such in the kitchen. As a general rule, the larger the space the more damping you need, but the less bass trapping, and the better it will ultimately sound.