@Baylinor
Thank you. As I often see stated here, everything matters.
@kofibaffour, @jl35
I agree that science, REW, and restraint are all good things, but without a doubt, simply putting some absorption at first reflection points should be mandatory for all systems. I started with six 2 x4 x 4 absorption panels that I stored when the room was my wife's and set out when the room was mine. At the sides for point-sources, (I suppose behind for dipoles?). Doesn't take a lot of money or effort for this vast improvement and unlike some other components, incremental gains per dollar spent far surpass any other expenditure. All in all, room treatment provides the most significant bang for your buck.
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@signaforce I believe the left side is not much of an issue since the first reflection points are so far removed that reflected waves would not be perceptible. For the right, I suggest 242 absorption panels that you can place when listening seriously and store when you are not. Alternatively, a good size stuffed couch with as high a back as you can tolerate placed in front of the windows would likely help.
Before you go to the trouble of doing any of that, I suggest you try hanging heavy blankets or moving mats in front of the windows at the first reflection points for both left and right speakers to ensure it makes a difference. I would be surprised if it did not.
To determine first reflection points, place/hang/have someone hold a mirror in front of the blankets and confirm you can see the speakers’ reflections at your listening position.
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@signaforce I think you’re partway there with the couch if it’s in front of the first reflection points for each of the speakers. if you’re saying head high when you’re sitting you might want to add some panels (2 x 2’) on top of the couch while you’re listening. Those are really easy to put away.
There is only one way to determine if that is the best corner in which to put the bass trap and that is to listen there and in the alternative spaces. I imagine no matter what corner, you’re getting some benefit although there is a possibility a lack of symmetry may hurt you. On the other hand, your room is already asymmetric. Only way to find out.
And thank you. I can listen for hours on end.
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You could also just put some large pillows on the back of the couch. Easy Peasy. Good luck.
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An alternative approach would be to apply both or either absorption or diffusion for peaky areas. If it is boomy, that indicates a problem around 100 Hz and below and there are few domestically acceptable diffusers that would accomplish this. At least for most home level diffusers, such as a QRD7 from a well-known manufacturer, the lowest frequency is roughly 350 Hz. Absorption in the form of base traps would perhaps be more effective in dealing with a boomy bass. Speaker and listening position can also dramatically impact the bass and should always be included in the equation.
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Alternatively, one might have a partner who is happy to devote a room to music and video. Kind of the ultimate in patience/indulgence/tolerance. She also told me to buy the car I had always dreamed of. Luckiest man in the world I am.
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@andy2
Speaker sound waves are first reflected from the sides, ceiling and floor and compete for your attention with the initial sound waves directly from the speaker. Although the reflections arrive later and are measurably distinct, they arrive at our ears too soon for our psychoacoustic system to distinguish them from the initial signal and they become one in our head. What can be lost or overwhelmed by this wave interference are the subtler sound waves that help depict hall size, performer placement, soundstage width and depth, and the music’s overall tonal signature. I think of this as more the "psycho" part of psychoacoustics and is distinct from later reflections bouncing around the room that result in frequency peaks and nulls that accrue from room modes and the like. These also interfere with the initial speaker signal much as first reflections do, but they further screw up the sound when they contribute to a less than smooth room frequency curve and/or cause “ringing”. Treatment at first reflection points helps a heck of a lot, but whole room treatment is necessary to deal with later reflections.
Absorption simply captures these interfering wave reflections and does not let them go. Diffusion breaks the waves up and reflects them in different directions instead of directly back at you. To better understand diffusion’s role, imagine being in a room and shooting a shotgun directly at a flat wall (no diffusion) versus against a rock wall (diffusion). The return path of the former is predictable and most are flying directly back at you. The latter will have much of the shot going elsewhere and taking a more circuitous route, bouncing off the surfaces of the room and even bumping into other shot before they might return to you. Because they are fewer, have been delayed, and have a lower energy, their return will not bother you as much as if they came flying straight back at you. Similarly, diffusion provides a time delay along with a weaker signal, allowing your psychoacoustic system to ignore or at least differentiate the reflections from the initial signal. Scattering panels work similarly and often are combined with absorption.
While your room may be somewhat symmetrical, you probably want to avoid "first reflections" and instead have either "first absorption" or diffusion. Opinions are mixed as to which is better. It is probably easier to do absorption with standard home goods/furnishings such as rugs, blankets, curtains, overstuffed couches, etc. Some suggest that books and records have significant absorption properties, but I would argue they are primarily reflective and if there is absorption, it is over an extremely limited frequency range. Bookshelves, racks, and the like do not give a predictable diffusion pattern. You may be getting different reflections from various media or equipment but they will not have the significant and ordered differences in depth to achieve meaningful diffusion. Neither will a popcorn ceiling nor textured wallpaper. On the other hand, if you wanted to arrange your equipment or books to follow a QRD pattern, you might see some benefit.
Consider hanging draperies on your windows and covering the TV with a blanket. I anticipate you will notice a difference.
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@Maghister
The aesthetics were in part a nod to my wife. She does draw the line somewhere.
And a compliment from you is noteworthy! Thank you.
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