The problem with absorption panels- it kills the fine details


If you’ve ever removed your absorption panels, you’ll find that you’ll hear a lot more detail and there is more openness. Truth is all those fine pressure amplitudes that add so much to enjoyable listening are considerably extinguished with absorption panels. The room seems quieter with absorption panels because all the fine detail is diminished.

It sounds different, so people think it sounds better. Absorption panels can kill good sounding music. I removed most of the absorption panels, and things actually sounded better. All the furniture in the room and the bookshelves were doing their thing in a great way. So I’ve concluded I really don’t need all that crap on the walls.

emergingsoul

Showing 2 responses by ronboco

Of course every room is different with different needs. It seems to me that reflections will alter the sound you were supposed to hear as mentioned above. Not wanting to play the guessing game I had my room designed by a professional and I built it. It is virtually all absorption on every wall and ceiling. There is no drywall in the room. It is definitely considered a dead room and I was nervous about how it would sound. After everything got broken in I was blown away by how good it sounds. I hear mostly the direct sound from the speakers and I don’t feel I’m missing anything. I have been fortunate to have a few members with more experienced ears over for a listen and I believe they were pleasantly surprised how good it sounded. If anyone else here would like to come over for some listening I’d be glad to have you. 

So I’d say and over damped room is better than an under damped room. Happy listening! 
 

Ron 

My above opinion is mostly in regards to smaller rooms where the challenges are greater.