First foray into room treatments

[Joe Schmoe]

Many here have stressed the importance of room treatments, but I have never tried them. I have ordered a couple of 2" pyramidal foam panels to cover the first reflection points. I will report the results (if any) when I get them. (This is just a cheap way to test the concept. If I hear an improvement, I will spend more on better panels/traps later.)

 

[avaserfi]

Just as an FYI most foam is not sufficient for anything but trebel absorbtion so it is not entirely likely that you will hear a large difference if anything at all. If you want a true cheap test of room treatments go out and buy some #8 mineral board or OC705 (either in 2") and place them at the first reflection points these materials will actually make a difference .

Edit: 48 square feet of mineral board is about $35 bucks while the same amount of OC705 is about $100 they both have similar absorption ratings.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Just as an FYI most foam is not sufficient for anything but trebel absorbtion so it is not entirely likely that you will hear a large difference if anything at all.

Treble frequencies are by far the most directional, and hence largely responsible for soundstage/imaging. Since that is what I primarily hope to improve, why would absorbing treble not help?

 

[Vaughan Odendaa]

Because overdamping a room at high frequencies will reveal a boomy low end without bass trap support. You can't absorb a narrow band of frequencies and expect miracles. Often absorbing high frequencies without addressing the bass range makes things worse, not better.

--Regards,

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Try doing my cheap test. I bought 6 panels of #8 mineral board, covered them with some nice fabric which was 75% off, glued 2 sets together so I had 4'' panels behind my speakers, place the other two at the first reflection point, covered it all in the fabric and secured with safety pins. I have a grand total of $46 bucks into these 4 panels as I wanted a cheap way to determine if it is worth the cost.

My system has never sounded this good and now that I know the panels make such a difference, I dont mind spending more money on them. I have ordered Ready Acoustic frames to finish out the panels. All in all, the finished panels will run me right at $46 each.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I just found a site that sells the DIY stuff cheap. Two 2' X 4' panels would come to $38+shipping. I may try that later, but right now the foam is already on its way.

 

[evilkat]

I just found a site that sells the DIY stuff cheap. Two 2' X 4' panels would come to $38+shipping. I may try that later, but right now the foam is already on its way.

What site are u looking at?

 

[D.R. Payne]

Mineral board: I have some large wedges under construction using Roxaul Rockboard 60:

http://www.atsacoustics.com/item--Roxul-Rockboard-60-Case-of-6--RB60.html

That's way cheaper than the prices you are quoting here.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

That's 20 bucks more than I paid for #8 mineral board.

Mineral board: I have some large wedges under construction using Roxaul Rockboard 60:

http://www.atsacoustics.com/item--Roxul-Rockboard-60-Case-of-6--RB60.html

That's way cheaper than the prices you are quoting here.

 

[mtrycrafts]

... If I hear an improvement, I will spend more on better panels/traps later.)

But that is the tricky part. How good is your memory for detecting changes, even with these panels when it will take time to change and change back?
Any way to do some good measurements as well?
Or, will that placebo take hold?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Well, at least the panels wont do any harm...

But that is the tricky part. How good is your memory for detecting changes, even with these panels when it will take time to change and change back?
Any way to do some good measurements as well?
Or, will that placebo take hold?

 

[D.R. Payne]

Good measurements are the way to validate what you are hearing.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Mineral board: I have some large wedges under construction using Roxaul Rockboard 60:

http://www.atsacoustics.com/item--Roxul-Rockboard-60-Case-of-6--RB60.html

That's way cheaper than the prices you are quoting here.

That is the site I was looking at. Two panels and two yards of fabric to cover the (front only) of them with is $38.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I ran their simple room acoustics analysis program, and it told me that my room is already in the "target" range for echo!

 

[Alex2507]

Any way to do some good measurements as well?

Hey mtry,
Let's say I'm interested in taking some measurements and don't know where to start. What would you recommend? Cost is always a factor and I'm sure you understand that.

Alex

 

[Davemcc]

But that is the tricky part. How good is your memory for detecting changes, even with these panels when it will take time to change and change back?
Any way to do some good measurements as well?
Or, will that placebo take hold?

I could hear a difference just by bringing each panel into the room. All one needs to do is sit in the listening position and have somebody carry the panel into the room and place it in it's location. For me, the effect was immediate and dramatic. One of the acoustic sites has waterfall graphs of the effect of adding panels one at time into a room. I'll see if I can find it.

Here it is. http://www.readyacoustics.com/index.php?go=acoustics-advice.case-study

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Mine made a drastic improvement too but then again my room is somewhat of a nightmare with echos. It is difficult to hear anything when more than a couple of people are talking at one time. 4 panels later and things are way better. I would say the biggest bang for the buck by a long shot.

 

[Alex2507]

I could hear a difference just by bringing each panel into the room. All one needs to do is sit in the listening position and have somebody carry the panel into the room and place it in it's location. For me, the effect was immediate and dramatic. One of the acoustic sites has waterfall graphs of the effect of adding panels one at time into a room. I'll see if I can find it.

Here it is. http://www.readyacoustics.com/index.php?go=acoustics-advice.case-study

Great link. I think I remember that you use a Velodyne toy that goes for about $750 for measuring room response. Can you provide some more details and thoughts on how that works?

 

[Davemcc]

Great link. I think I remember that you use a Velodyne toy that goes for about $750 for measuring room response. Can you provide some more details and thoughts on how that works?

The Velodyne SMS-1 is an active subwoofer eq with real time onscreen frequency response. It is available from Outlaw Audio. Here is a product sheet that explains what it does.
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/SMSsheets.pdf

It's helped me tame some pretty severe room modes (combined with room treatment) and really tightened up my bass response. I'm really happy with the results.

 

[Joel DuBay]

Try doing my cheap test. I bought 6 panels of #8 mineral board, covered them with some nice fabric which was 75% off, glued 2 sets together so I had 4'' panels behind my speakers, place the other two at the first reflection point, covered it all in the fabric and secured with safety pins. I have a grand total of $46 bucks into these 4 panels as I wanted a cheap way to determine if it is worth the cost.

My system has never sounded this good and now that I know the panels make such a difference, I dont mind spending more money on them. I have ordered Ready Acoustic frames to finish out the panels. All in all, the finished panels will run me right at $46 each.

And Greg, when you're finished, follow up with us. We'll help you take some measurements of the room to gauge it's performance with your treatments installed. (on the house)



Cheers!

Joel DuBay
www.readyacoustics.com
See our Chameleon Acoustic Panels at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show going on now!