Columns...where to find a good deal

[SMM]

I'm looking for some pre-made columns for my theater for both cosmetic and sound purposes. I'm hoping the can help absorb some of the refelected sound off the long walls (approx 22').

Has anyone done this? Has anyone found high-qualiy columns at a reasonable price? Thks!

 

[mtrycrafts]

I'm looking for some pre-made columns for my theater for both cosmetic and sound purposes. I'm hoping the can help absorb some of the refelected sound off the long walls (approx 22').

Has anyone done this? Has anyone found high-qualiy columns at a reasonable price? Thks!

Not me but if you want them to absorb sound, you need it from a different material. May need to build your own?
Or, google it?

 

[Ethan Winer]

> I'm looking for some pre-made columns ... I'm hoping the can help absorb some of the refelected sound off the long walls (approx 22'). <

I agree with mtry that columns are probably not what you want. The usual solution for taming echoes and reflections off large areas of bare wall is acoustic panels made from absorbing material like rigid fiberglass. And you need large areas of absorption - much more than one or two columns could provide. Further, that addresses only mid and high frequencies. Just as important is bass trapping, and that works best when placed in the room corners.

--Ethan

 

[SMM]

> I agree with mtry that columns are probably not what you want. The usual solution for taming echoes and reflections off large areas of bare wall is acoustic panels made from absorbing material like rigid fiberglass. And you need large areas of absorption - much more than one or two columns could provide. Further, that addresses only mid and high frequencies. Just as important is bass trapping, and that works best when placed in the room corners.--Ethan

Makes sence...any suggestions on where to purchase high quality acoustic panels at a reasonable price?

Any suggestions on how to make a bass trap? It was suggested to use the riser for this purpose

 

[SMM]

This is what I was thinking of...but I can't seem to find anyone that sells them

 

[mtrycrafts]

This is what I was thinking of...but I can't seem to find anyone that sells them

Which ones? The tan ones to the sides or the center art deco?
That is probably custom made, covers some home made boxes, or a cover over commercial ones underneath it?

As for the columns, if you want it for decor, try some building supply places near you, or google that too

 

[SMM]

Which ones? The tan ones to the sides or the center art deco?

I'm looking for sound absorbing columns similar to the ones flanking that piece of art in the center. I'd hoping to use columns instead of just rectangles as I believe they will look far better

 

[Ethan Winer]

> Any suggestions on how to make a bass trap? <

See my Acoustics FAQ:

www.ethanwiner.com/acoustics.html

> any suggestions on where to purchase high quality acoustic panels at a reasonable price? <

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[mtrycrafts]

I'm looking for sound absorbing columns similar to the ones flanking that piece of art in the center. I'd hoping to use columns instead of just rectangles as I believe they will look far better

those rectangle columns on either side is not sound absorbing, I am willing to bet. And, it would have minimal and limited effect as was pointed out.
Now, if you are still after decoration, I bet there would be even half circled columns on the market. If not for decoration if it cannot be absorbing, although you did mention that, you need to change plans about it.

 

[ScottMayo]

those rectangle columns on either side is not sound absorbing, I am willing to bet. And, it would have minimal and limited effect as was pointed out.
Now, if you are still after decoration, I bet there would be even half circled columns on the market. If not for decoration if it cannot be absorbing, although you did mention that, you need to change plans about it.

Columns can be *diffusing*, and in a large room, diffusion can make a lot of sense. Large old churches are full of columns, and the people who designed them knew what they were doing - the columns did more than support the roof. In an era where absorption was hard to arrange, they got beautiful sound (even if the RT-60 was huge) by breaking up reflections with columns and artwork. The same tricks can be used in a smaller room, if carefully applied.

BUt you still need absorption in a home theater, and plenty of it. Furniture can provide some, but treating the walls with flat panels is the only way to get good results. And they look cool.

 

[Audioholics]

THX recommends about 25% diffusion in a room in addition to absorption... You could conceivably utilize columns for some of this, though typically you put your diffusion on a part of the wall (top or bottom). The columns would need to be convex (and preferably smooth) so that some high frequency sound was reflected away at multiple angles - thus diffusing it back into the room. Wider is better than narrow and tapered would be good as well (thinner on top).

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

I'm looking for some pre-made columns for my theater for both cosmetic and sound purposes. I'm hoping the can help absorb some of the refelected sound off the long walls (approx 22').

Has anyone done this? Has anyone found high-qualiy columns at a reasonable price? Thks!

If you're looking for columns, check out this link. You have to add the sonar collars to the columns and you'll get 'exactly' that look.

http://www.truesoundcontrol.com/products/SCLM.html