If you’re looking for simplistic old school acoustic treatment you can do every bit as good as GIK only faster and for a tiny fraction of the cost stretching whatever fabric you like over Owens Corning acoustic panel. In fact if you look at their website they have the exact same OC panels. If paying $1k for $50 worth of room treatment is worth it to avoid having to learn how to use a sheetrock knife, go for it.
GIK is simplistic old school treatment. Next generation and so much more effective you can hardly believe it are Synergistic Research HFT. They make these in different versions designed to go on walls, ceiling, and speakers. Unlike the panels that do very little really, and nothing that like someone already said can be done with furniture (carpet, etc) these things are insanely effective in improving imaging, extension, detail, dynamics, essentially making your speakers, and walls even, disappear.
I’ve done panels, traps, corner tunes, you name it, going back to the 90’s. Actually my 1973 teenage bedroom had egg cartons, functionally identical to GIK just not as pretty. Compared to HFT that stuff is stone age. People I guess are slow to catch on. So you get a lot of advice from people stuck in the 1950’s. Go figure. Free 30 day trial. Which don’t worry, you will not be sending them back. |
GIK service and products are very good and competitive. Keep in mind, they carry NO inventory; everything is made to order. It’s how they keep their prices down. My salesman told me today, an order placed today would deliver 2nd week of January, at best.
The suggestion to read up on the subject is a good idea. GIK has some good You Tube videos. So does Acoustic Geometry but they’re very expensive. Lastly, GIK list their suggestions in the order of importance. If you have the patience, purchase one solution at a time. I think you will make more cost effective decisions (if you can be patient).
Best investment you can make to maximize your investment.
Cheers
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To trail onto this thread, does anyone know of room/wall treatments that are not a few inches thick? Is there such a thing?
Due to the room, anything thick sticks like a sore thumb. Thinner that can be painted would be a jackpot.
I apologize davidrolson, I do not mean to hijack the thread.
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Books, shelves, art & carpets.
But then, I spent a few decades in sound studios, so I'm probably odd man out here.
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Asc is the company I have used . They don’t charge you anything upfront for their recommendations. They even sent me equipment, free of charge, to record tones played back through my sound system, recorded from my listening chair so that they could assess articulation and the problem frequencies that needed taming. They then sent me blue prints on what they recommend to be done in phases, based on videos , pics of my room and the results from the above sound recordings.
Jordan is the sound engineer i work with and he bounces all ideas through Art. They are always available to answer your questions and they were and still are a pleasure to work with. |
One of my favorite GIK products is the soffit traps. In particular, for corner traps, really wide coverage in small footprint, and for an apartment dweller, easy to stack a pair in each corner.
If you are attempting deep bass, or have 2 way speakers you want to make sound bigger, highly recommend them.
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GIK provides the lowest-cost treatments that are attractive and are developed and tested in accordance with known acoustic theory (unlike some of the gongs, pucks, tuning-fork like devices, etc.). They will send a treatment plan for a low fee, refundable with the first order. Their treatment plan will not skimp on devices, so you may not need all of what they suggest to meet your needs.
ASC and Vicoustic are also very good. The detail of workmanship tends to be a little better, but the cost is higher. Vicoustic stuff can be very stylish. Vicoustic offers an innovative tuned bass trap that can be adjusted to address any particular bass frequency that is problematic.
I would advise you to do some basic reading on room acoustics first, so you know what you are trying to accomplish (bass trapping, first-reflection attenuation, removal of slap echo...).
Most acoustics manufacturers use Guilford of Maine fabrics to cover the panels or traps. Guilford offers thousands of fabrics; by choosing one to go with your decor, you can improve appearance tremendously at relatively little incremental expense.
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GIK Acoustics is a good company offering the traditional approach to room acoustic treatment. This approach to me, makes the room look like a listening room or recording studio.
As my room functions primarily as a family - living room I use the Synergistic Research approach of using a group of resonators attached to the walls. These are small and do not distract from the décor of the room. In addition to being highly effective, they are easily moved to work with a change in room layout or music equipment. Being removable they can also be used in future listening rooms. Maximum flexibility, excellent acoustic effect and minimum visual distraction.
David Pritchard
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GIK Acoustics
Agree! Call them. Send them photos. They will help prioritize what it is best for your situation - biggest bang for your bucks. Very good, scientifically-based products, very good value, and excellent customer service. |
There is also ATS acoustics in Piper City Illinois. Can purchase factory made or DIY. |
GIK Acoustics by far offer the most effective and best value.
Also great advice.
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