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Need opinions on ceiling reflections

All,I have a soffit that is running length-wise on the LEFT side of the ceiling (picture in my system). The ceiling is 8' and the soffit part drops down about 1'. The speakers and sound panels are positioned with a precision of 1/8th of an inch and it sounds amazing - especially on the RIGHT side. The music appears to come from way back and way outside the RIGHT speaker and you can actually "look" that images of various instruments playing in those empty spaces. But I have a heard time "seeing" those images on the LEFT side speaker. I have a feeling that this issue happens because the reflection point on the left side ceiling is a foot lower than the one on the right side ceiling. I was planning of getting some acoustic foam and attach it to the ceiling using T-pins (since it is a textured ceiling and foam tapes will not work). I assumed that this will absorb the reflections and could work on restoring the proper timing/clarity on left side.

Could you guys weigh in and let me know your thoughts? Please feel free to let me know if I am off and the issue is completely different.
128x128milpai
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,149 posts
 
Are you using any of the test CDs to arrive at your conclusion?  They have some excellent channel separation and imaging tracks.  Looking at your room photos I tend to doubt the soffit idea, but I'm just speculating.
barts's avatar
barts
687 posts
 
@milpai 

Very nice system and room.  I am all about symmetry, so in that vein I would equalize the soffit such that it is centered.  Yes it looks like that would double its width.  But unless you always listen with eyes closed that visual imbalance will be hard for your brain to ignore.  I predict that no matter how much acoustic treatment you use the imbalance will remain.  I apologize that this may hurt more than help.

Regards,
barts
dronepunk
64 posts
 
I’ve recently started using Caruso ISO-Bond.
Tough to find in the US, but to me it is worth it.
I have psoriasis, working with Rockwool & Fiberglass is not fun. I do have 8” thick rockwool BB absorbers that I built years ago that I still use, but these days I only use ISO-Bond. Good luck on your journey, acoustics make such a large improvement.
milpai's avatar
milpai OP
2,323 posts
 
@onhwy61 Not test CDs, but regular CDs. For example:
1. Five Feet High and Rising - Johnny Cash
2. The House Song - Peter Paul and Mary
3. You never Give Me Money - Beatles
4. By Myself - Rosemary Clooney
4. Sweet Lullaby - Deep Forest

On the Deep Forest sounds seem off the panel at the first reflection point on BOTH sides. These are some (few examples) of the songs that make you sit up and gawk at the sound stage. Honestly that is ear candy to me and it thrills me up to listen to more music. But that is what I am looking for in other songs. Newer recordings seem better in this regards. But somehow (maybe I a hallucinating) the LEFT side the sound seems to stick closer to the speakers and not as much outside as the RIGHT side. Maybe I am being finicky - but I think I should at least give it a try.

Thank You everyone for the excellent feedback and sharing your experiences. I have got responses from GIK and ATS. Will take it up further. Really appreciate it.

milpai's avatar
milpai OP
2,323 posts
 
One interesting mounting I found on ATS site was the Rotofast mounting system. This really can get the panels flush against the ceiling. I am not sure if I have studs in that soffit, as I understand that it was created to hide the iron beam (this room is in the basement). Wonder if the Rotofast will work with just the dry wall mount.
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