Just got my GIK Acoustic Panels...

[Jack Hammer]

...I originally wanted to go with 3 of the 242's, but after talking to Glenn, I decided to go with the 3 242's and 2 of the 244's. All the mounting hardware, save the hooks for the drywall, were included. This made installation pretty quick. All I had to do was twist the included wire between the all-ready installed eye hooks and hang them up.

The first thing I noticed was that I wasn't able to hear where my sub was. When I put my ear less than an inch from my front speaker, it sounded like the lfe was coming from it instead of from the sub itself. The next major improvement I noticed was that the separation of sound between the fronts and center was markedly better. Before I put the panels up, most sounds seemed to emanate from the front area in general. Now it is much easier to differentiate between the L R & C. Listening to scenes in Fight Club I noticed that most of the background noise, which I could clearly hear before, sounded as if it were outside my window or actually going on around me, a sense of realism is now noticed. Same with Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. In the scene where the Vogons read poetry to the main characters, it sounded like the extraneous coversations and such that go on in the background were actually going on around me.

Bang for buckwise, this was a good purchase. Another bonus was because I opted for black cloth, the reflections I normally had seen in my tv screen were also minimized alot. Not to mention, when I turned the lights out, the room got quite a bit darker than before. While this may be a minor difference to some, I am in a highly light reflective area, it makes viewing much more easy and pleasant.

I've decided to eventually add two more panels to the ceiling behind and to the sides of me to deal with my surrounds/ surround backs. Because I dont have a readily available back wall near my setup, I think this will help a little with the surround effects audibility.

I'd also like to say that the help offered by Glenn was top notch. One of the first things he asked me, when I asked what would work for me, was to email some pictures of my room and setup to him so he could see what would work best for my particular situation. He not only suggested which of his product would give me the best benefit, but told me specifically where I should place the panels for the most likely best performance. He even suggested a few minor DIY changes that would also help my sound and suggested what to avoid in order to obtain the best results. Definately a class act, something that carries a lot of weight with me.

Overall an A+

Jack

 

[chas_w]

Nice write-up Jack...can you post some pics?

 

[Nick250]

Jack, great review and my experience with Glen was very good too. I do see that you did not get bass traps. They made a huge improvement in my system. So much that at this point that is all I have done. Can you speak a little about the stratgy you and Glen worked out regarding bass traps vs the other treatments? Other treaments are next on my list

Regards, Nick

 

[AndrewLyles]

Hi Jack,
Kudos on the write-up. I've been saving up for some GIK's for my room, hoping to treat myself around Christmas. Is there any chance that you can post some pictures of how you hung these? I'm curious as to how they impacted your room.
Thanks,
Andrew

 

[Jack Hammer]

Jack, great review and my experience with Glen was very good too. I do see that you did not get bass traps. They made a huge improvement in my system. So much that at this point that is all I have done. Can you speak a little about the stratgy you and Glen worked out regarding bass traps vs the other treatments? Other treaments are next on my list

Regards, Nick

Due to my room layout, we decided that there really is no workable place to put bass traps. The only somewhat effective place would be between the left side of my couch and the wall. It looks like there might be room in the drawing, but there is actually only 2' between the two.

Glenn said the next best option would be to put a couple of 244's on stands behind my couch. It would help, but not be as good as tri-traps. Thats not a realistic option for me, it would be way too intrusive on my space.

I marked in red where I put the panels.

View attachment 3716

I was listening to the radio today and for the first time I actually fully realized what people mean when they say the 'soundstage' increased. Like I mentioned before, I used to hear the sounds coming from the front. Even though I could hear certain sounds as coming from one side or the other, it was nothing compared to how defined it is now.

Jack

 

[AndrewLyles]

Due to my room layout, we decided that there really is no workable place to put bass traps. The only somewhat effective place would be between the left side of my couch and the wall. It looks like there might be room in the drawing, but there is actually only 2' between the two.

Glenn said the next best option would be to put a couple of 244's on stands behind my couch. It would help, but not be as good as tri-traps. Thats not a realistic option for me, it would be way too intrusive on my space.

I marked in red where I put the panels.

View attachment 3716

I was listening to the radio today and for the first time I actually fully realized what people mean when they say the 'soundstage' increased. Like I mentioned before, I used to hear the sounds coming from the front. Even though I could hear certain sounds as coming from one side or the other, it was nothing compared to how defined it is now.

Jack

So one thing I'm confused about is did you mount the speakers to the wall or the Ceiling? What I'm trying to figure out is if you have them mounted to the wall like a picture or if they're oriented like a drop-panel-ceiling tile. Thanks Jack! (BTW I'm very envious...)

Andrew

 

[bpape]

Jack.

Thanks for posting your thoughts. Glad you're pleased with the products and the results.

If you're getting a good solid soundstage on the radio after all the processing they do to the signal, it should be great with a good stereo or 5.1 source.

Bryan

 

[Sheep]

Eh jack, whats in that room to the left of your theater? Looks like a pretty good theater room.

SheepStar

 

[Jack Hammer]

Eh jack, whats in that room to the left of your theater? Looks like a pretty good theater room.

SheepStar

That's my bedroom. That drawing actually covers my entire apartment, except for the bathroom, which is just below the kitchen. I had considered using that a few times, but its a really small room. My apartment is pretty small. All together I've got a total of a little over 300 sq feet.

I borrowed a camera and took a few pictures, but I have to wait til tomorrow to post them. I don't have any software to adjust them and the pics are all pretty large. Around 1.5mb each. Tomorrow I can go use the computer lab at school and resize them. then I'll put them up.

 

[Jack Hammer]

So one thing I'm confused about is did you mount the speakers to the wall or the Ceiling? What I'm trying to figure out is if you have them mounted to the wall like a picture or if they're oriented like a drop-panel-ceiling tile. Thanks Jack! (BTW I'm very envious...)

Andrew

Andrew, I think you meant how I mounted the acoustic panels, not the speakers. But I'll answer both, just in case. The 4 panels on the wall are hung just like a picture. I used a heavy duty 'J' hook (I think thats what they're called), the kind used for hanging pictures with a wire on back and driven into the wall with a nail. For the panel on the ceiling, I used 4 flat 'L' brackets. I mounted one side of the bracket to the edge of the panel and the other to the ceiling. I spaced them apart so as to hit the studs in the ceiling.

My rear surrounds and center channel speakers are mounted using omnimount 20.0 ceiling mounts and hung from the ceiling (6'10" ceiling). Yes, I have to duck sometimes and have walked into them when I'm not paying attention. I turned these sideways the other day to get a little more clearance. The surrounds are mounted with Omnimount 20.0 wall mounts and hung on the side wall on the left, and the hallway ceiling on the right. Yeah, I've smacked my head on that one quite a few times . The front speakers are on adjustable stands, extended as far up as they would go. My TV is about a foot and a half into the deep window ledge. Half of it (192lbs) sits in there, the front portion is supported by a shelf.

I'll post some pictures tomorrow, after I resize them.

I'm very happy with the results. The only downside is I had to rearrange most of my place to make everything work. Space is at a premium for me. I'm still trying to figure out where to put the stuff I had to move.

Jack

 

[Jack Hammer]

Pictures

I just downloaded some thiumbnail making program. Took about a minute to install and fix the pics.

Anyway, Here is a before photo
View attachment 3717

Here is after. I also moved my surrounds in about a foot and down about a foot.
View attachment 3718 View attachment 3719

Left side
View attachment 3720 Right sideView attachment 3721

Jack

 

[chas_w]

Half of your apartment is audio gear and acoustic panels....I like it! Great use of space Mr. Hammer...well done.

 

[Nick250]

I just downloaded some thiumbnail making program. Took about a minute to install and fix the pics.

Anyway, Here is a before photo
View attachment 3717

Here is after. I also moved my surrounds in about a foot and down about a foot.
View attachment 3718 View attachment 3719

Left side
View attachment 3720 Right sideView attachment 3721

Jack

I see what you mean about not having room for bass traps

Nick

 

[Jack Hammer]

I see what you mean about not having room for bass traps

Nick

After hearing how much of a difference these panels make, I really, really want some bass traps now. I just can't seem to figure anywhere I could put them. Space is at a premium in my place.

Jack

 

[Glenn Kuras]

Damn Jack, you wasted no time getting those panels up!! You ordered like only a week ago, did you not?

Glad to hear the room is starting to come together for you. One place you could put a couple bass traps would be where the wall and ceiling meet on the left and right side. I think they would fit there????

Thanks for your order and please keep me posted on how things are going for you.

Glenn

 

[Jack Hammer]

Damn Jack, you wasted no time getting those panels up!! You ordered like only a week ago, did you not?

Glad to hear the room is starting to come together for you. One place you could put a couple bass traps would be where the wall and ceiling meet on the left and right side. I think they would fit there????

Thanks for your order and please keep me posted on how things are going for you.

Glenn

Thanks Glenn. I ordered on Monday afternoon and Fedex came that same week. It only took me about 45 minutes to attach the wires on the back of the panels and put everything up, including mounting the one on the ceiling.

I measured where the wall and ceiling meet and it would be pretty tight putting something there. I'd have to drop the other panels lower, which would cover my electrical outlets. I need them. Plus it would make my tiny room feel a bit claustrophobic. A pair of the tri traps would run me almost as much as the 242's and 244's together did. I'll probably have to hold off for now. At least til I move into a bigger place. Then those are high on my list.

I'm thinking of getting another set of 244's and putting them where the 242's are now. Then moving the 242's to the ceiling between my side and rear surrounds.

Jack

 

[Glenn Kuras]

Thanks Glenn. I ordered on Monday afternoon and Fedex came that same week. It only took me about 45 minutes to attach the wires on the back of the panels and put everything up, including mounting the one on the ceiling.

I measured where the wall and ceiling meet and it would be pretty tight putting something there. I'd have to drop the other panels lower, which would cover my electrical outlets. I need them. Plus it would make my tiny room feel a bit claustrophobic. A pair of the tri traps would run me almost as much as the 242's and 244's together did. I'll probably have to hold off for now. At least til I move into a bigger place. Then those are high on my list.

I'm thinking of getting another set of 244's and putting them where the 242's are now. Then moving the 242's to the ceiling between my side and rear surrounds.

Jack

You can straddle the 244 also if you can make that work. It really does pick up a lot more bass when they are in the corner straddled, but I do understand about room.

Glenn

 

[mike c]

hi glen, (sorry to hijack jackhammer)

1) have you finally gotten a canadian dealer?
2) do the thicker traps do the job of the thinner traps? e.g. the 6" trap will also do the high frequencies the 2" is supposed to take care of
2.1) if so, then aesthetics and price aside, is it best to use the thickest trap you can get?
3) what are the general rules again on where to place the traps? first reflection points?

 

[Glenn Kuras]

Hey Mike,

No we do not have a Canadian dealer, but we ship there daily. If you go to our website and do a buy it now you can put in your area and it should give you shipping costs. If you have trouble you can email or call me and I can work up the cost for you.
As far is which trap to use it might be best to have you email me pictures and so on to help you pick the best product for your room.

Glenn

 

[mike c]

thanks glenn, im still trying to decide whether to treat this room (and ruin its aesthetics) or build a separate HT myself (looking for space near my room)

but what can you say about:

2) do the thicker traps do the job of the thinner traps? e.g. the 6" trap will also do the high frequencies the 2" is supposed to take care of
2.1) if so, then aesthetics and price aside, is it best to use the thickest trap you can get?