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What are the limits of room correction/ treatments ?

My old listening room was open to other parts of the house allowing excess bass energy to escape and had a high 13ft. ceiling. Clear tight bass and open clear midrange even when loud. My current room, while bigger ( 17 x 21), is boxy with 9' ceilings and a single door entrance. You can really hear the room getting in the way on many recordings, esp with louder complex recordings. Can room correction + treatments really make my current room sound like the old one?
jim94025
15 responses Add your response
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
I made some DIY clones of these pillows many years ago. Sonic impact was (very) minimal.

I had great success with building my own floor-to ceiling SEALED bass traps to remedy a mid-bass hump in my room and also 24" X 48" panels to dampen the first reflection points on side walls. All made of 2" thick Owens Corning RIGID fiberglass panels with inexpensive wood frames and covered with the fabric of my choice. Sonic impact was not just, "Well, I guess they make some difference." like the RoomTunes.

Best to you jaybe,
Dave
jaybe
740 posts
 
Any recent experience with RoomTunes? Looking at their website and forum there seems to be a bit of a cult-ish vibe. Forum photo and drawing examples of how and where to use their products seem much different than those made by GIK, RealTraps etc. The "pillow" type products are mostly what I’m referring to. Not much available in the way of reviews either, despite their products being on the market for maybe 25+ years. Most mentions of the products online are years old so have they been surpassed by newer ones from other companies? On the other hand their prices are quite reasonable. Would appreciate any comments.
digsmithd
913 posts
 
just got done doing room treatment....holy shtuff! what a difference...whew!!!
goose
690 posts
 

This stuff gets kind of tricky but I would recommend the following:

1)  Get your speakers set up to spot where they sound decent including toe in and tilt (front to back)

2)  Add bass traps in the corners

3)  If your room has hardwood floors you will need to put a large area rug in front of the speakers or treat the ceiling

4)  Treat the first reflection points on the walls to the sides of the speakers

5)  I would add absorptive panels or material cautiously.  You can get too much and it makes the room too dead

6)  I have had good success with adding diffusers instead of absorptive panels.  They work great on the back wall behind the listening chair and also on the front wall behind the speakers.  I don't like the cheap foam variety of diffusers and have made mine out of wood. 

There a lot of good sites for information that will do design work if you buy their products.  In my opinion they can go overboard on the absorptive panels since they are also in the sales game.  Just my two cents.

dentdog's avatar
dentdog
498 posts
 
Took some Owens Corning 703 from GIK and started placing different thickness traps in various places. Bought around 24 sheets so was able to go as thick as a foot so far. When I found success I ordered a trap of that thickness from GIK. Working out very well.
Also use curtains, rugs and furniture. It can make a Yuge difference!

oleschool's avatar
oleschool
722 posts
 
gik treatment changed the game for me .The best grand i think i spent on audio in forever..Bass traps and treating behind me helped alot,my sofa is against the rear wall so the reflection was a problem 
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
It is amazing how the slightest adjustment to speaker location can yield significant results.  Not just placement...also the tilt back of the speaker for proper driver balance at your listening location and the degree of toe-in, if any.  It IS rewarding when you hit the sweet spot in your room.
digsmithd
913 posts
 

You can never under estimate the value of treatment to room...just going through it myself...been having to adjust (only) the bass traps...1" or 2 either way make a huge difference in sound stage and balance...

as others mention well place speakers are crucial...just part of equation that can be frustrating as hell...but so worth it when achieved...never going to be perfect but its a effort that pays off in enjoyment.

unsound
7,329 posts
 
Many of us find that completely open rooms; let too much bass escape, adds extra strain to amp/speakers, allows noise from other rooms in and visa versa.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,788 posts
 
There are internet sites that have room mode calculators, displaying in 3d where standing waves appear in the room, which is determined by the dimensions of the room. You put your room's dimensions into the calculator, and a 3d drawing appears, showing where in the room nodes are located. If you place your speakers and listening position where no such nodes appear, you have minimized the resonances of the room itself. Room treatments are therefore minimized as well.
erik_squires
16,056 posts
 
YES!

Room treatment fist, EQ/Room correction second. GIK Acoustics, great advice and highest value products.

Room treament enables EQ, especially in the bass.

Best,

Erik
dragon_vibe
430 posts
 
I meant to say is adding hard or soft stones under your speaker. This usually does have a good effect on the amount of bass you can tame but this technique is limited. As some other posted also suggested get bass traps to further help on this aspect. Too much room energy will effect the midrange a lot more.

It is also not advisable to put any forms of diffusers behind you. This is more ideal on the side walls in a symmetrical layout.

I have experimented with Skyline diffusers over the listeners head and this worked out very well. just be sure not to over do the room with too much diffusers. It is also advisable to use a different mix of absorption materials instead of using the same one all over.

In a Typical studio i have seen the setups done with multiple different absorption materials.
hifiman5's avatar
hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
Appropriate room treatment can make all the difference!  suggestions:
1.  Treat all wall intersections.  I have had Michael Green's Roomtune devices in mine for many  years.  
2. If the bass seems a bit much, bass traps may help.
3.  I like absorption behind the listening area so you aren't subjected to sound bouncing off the wall behind you.
4. Diffusors behind the speakers can yield substantial benefits.

If you Google, you can find a variety of products that may get you where you need to be.

Good luck!

ebm
9,311 posts
 
Stillpoints Aperture panels are the best and do wonders in any room.
dragon_vibe
430 posts
 
I would stay away from room correction devices and focus more of your effort on the room it self including placements and isolation for your speakers. Maybe adding harder or softer stones does have a profound effect on the bass energy it self.


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