room treatment, where do you start?

Since it's a rented apartment, why not just start by putting up some base traps at corners and diffusers/absorbers at 1st reflection points?

All that measuring and fine tuning is already over-kill for a rented property imo.

Bass traps are a no-brainer as any enclosed space will have multiple fundamental modes (remember, there are 3 dimensions, not 2). Then, I would suggest you get a copy of RoomEQ Wizard (freeware at http://www.hometheatershack.com/roomeq/) and begin educating yourself about acoustics. It may be more of an investment in time and money than a short-term rental justifies but everything will be useful in your future abodes, especially what you have learned.

For more useful and readable information, see:
www.realtraps.com
www.gikacoustics.com

Kal

i received this response from Jim at RealTraps in CT after I sent him photos of my room.

Hi Aaron,

Thanks for your patience while I work through email designs.

Here's what I'd suggest to transform your room, in order of importance:

8 - MegaTraps, 4 per front wall/wall corner. Need to double-check ceiling height (need at least 96"), and distance from front wall to soffit in left corner (need at least 24"), to make sure they fit.

2 - HF MiniTraps, mounted using post base kits, at the left and right reflection points (in front of light switches for right trap).

2 - HF MiniTraps, mounted using post base ceiling kits, on the ceiling first-reflection points. If possible, use 3 or even 4 traps here, but do not obstruct lights.

1 - Corner MondoTrap, for the left rear corner, between the small lamp table and the wood cabinet.

2 - MiniTraps, across front wall/ceiling corners on the front wall, above/behind the television (assuming front wall is at least 11' wide).

2 - MiniTraps, mounted using post base kits, behind the left and right surround speakers (will have to relocate sunset art)

4 - MiniTraps, mounted in wall/ceiling corner of side walls, 2 in front of each soffit (left and right).

OPTIONAL:

4 - HF MondoTraps on stands, to be placed behind the couch (in front of the kitchen). If this is too in the way, it can be omitted.

The result of this will be a very well-treated room; everything will be clearer and more immediate, dialogue will be much easier to understand, and not a bass not will be out of place.

Let me know how this preliminary plan looks, and we can then begin to fine-tune the order (if needed) and get a delivery/installation quote together.

Thanks again
JWL