Room treatments - GIK Vs Acoustimac

Mofimadness,
Thank you for letting me know about the back of panel description. I will look into it. But what about the effectiveness of Acoustimac compared to GIK? Did you get a chance to compare them?
My concern is that there are not too many users of Acoustimac, unlike GIK which has tons of user reviews.

After going through the internet, I did find out a reason why GIK does not have backing panels. They are of the opinion that leaving a gap is necessary for the panel to be more effective. They think that without the backing panel, the panels will have natural gap when mounted on the wall. Some other experts also agree that leaving a gap between the panel and the walls is desirable.

As an update, I received 2 tri-traps and 2 monster panels from GIK. They cleared up the sound stage while tightening the bass response. I do not have any panels on the first reflection points yet and that may be the reason why the imaging is not as pin-point as I would like it to be.

Can someone please suggest why people add panels behind boxed speakers? Does it help in sound stage? My mid-range is terrific and I love it. I want to get my system to a point where even when I move my head from the center position, the vocals should still appear to come from the middle. Is this possible? How should I decide between diffusion and absorption?

Kevinzoe,
Thanks much for the detailed explanation. Very helpful indeed.

Yes, I am for sure getting the panels for the first absorption points. They would be the 244 from GIK.
I am undecided on the front wall panels. I can confidently say that there is only 10-15% hash of what it was without the reflections. You have done a "Lamborghini" of treatment, whereas I am only aiming for an "Acura or BMW".
Again, I may be contradicting myself because this is the first time I am experiencing complete music, rather than some music and some room. I think I would love to have great imaging, in general.
I have also been advised to get the equipment rack out of the middle and place the equipments on the floor (on some platform). I plan to do this by using the panels from the Salamander rack I have and Herbie's footers.
I have become a BIG believer in treatments. For me, the effect (along with precise speaker placement) is "mesmerizing". It is like buying new hardware and listening to the music through new equipment for the first time.
What are your thought on ceiling reflections? My ceiling is 9'.

Thanks,

I do not have windows on the front wall. But they are on the rear wall, about 3 feet from where I sit. I have taken care of them with the Monster traps. There is that french door, but I will put some felt on them sometimes later. I will update my system with the pics, after everything is put in place.

I will "try to start" a conversation about the ceiling treatments with the wife ;-) She has been supportive till now, but I don't want to stretch it. Thank You for letting me know about the gap though. I will keep that tip for future.

I was listening late tonight and noticed that if I move my chair closer to the back wall, towards where I have the GIK Monster Panels installed, I get better bass definition. I was actually advised that I needed to move my chair at least 3 feet away from the back wall.
So this new position (close to back wall) puzzles me. I have a squarish room (12.5 X 13.5) and I could do with a slightly more bass. So, is closer to the back wall or away from the back wall, better for more bass? I have ordered the 244 panels for first reflection points. Will that have any affect on the bass?
Yeah, I do understand that squarish room is not optimal for bass. But I do not have a choice.

Kiwi,
I think I have visited your system, multiple times when I was researching on room treatments. You have a great system and room. Thanks for the link. Will go through it. BTW, that site is on my Audio bookmarks. Nice site.
I am a big believer in treatments - now that I have experienced it. My small room, with lights out, sounds like I am sitting in an auditorium meant for sound reproduction. There is some slap echo that I am trying to work on. But the sound is much much better than what I started out with.

That is something I would be wary of, Hornguys.
I went ahead with GIK and have 2 tri-traps, 2 monster bass and 2 244 panels. Doing some listening and fine tuning the speaker positions before making sure I need or do not ned more panels.

Jdub39,
I have 2 of those behind me and I sit about 3 feet away. My room is small.

Cjl,
I have mentioned above that I went with GIK. They were pretty helpful and took a very conservative approach in getting my room treated. I have 2 tri-traps, 2 Monster panels and 2 244s in my room now. They are big panels. But I don't think humans are anywhere close to changing the laws of physics anytime soon.