GIK Acoustics 244 Sound Panel Review

[ned]

I have 2 GIK Monster Bass Traps, 2 GIK 244 panels and 2 RealTraps MicroTraps.

Thanks a lot for your comment! It' great to hear from real user the effective use of the panels.

 

[Glenn Kuras]

I have 2 GIK Monster Bass Traps, 2 GIK 244 panels and 2 RealTraps MicroTraps. I'm very happy with the products from both companies. I can't give a comparison on performance of the RealTraps vs. GIK since I use the GIK for low freq and RealTraps for higher freq. Even a physical comparison may not be fair given the thickness required for the lower frequencies but I will say that the RealTraps are nicer looking and packaged a little better. The brushed metal framing on the RealTraps is nice. I don't mean to imply that I have a problem with the packaging or the appearance of the GIK traps, just that if I had to compare the two on things other than performance, that would be my comment.

If the numbers on their respective sites are comparable, I believe the GIK 244 panels had better or similar low frequency absorption ro the RealTraps MiniTraps. The RealTraps MicroTraps had better high frequency absorption than the GIK 242 panels and were thinner. Since I was placing the high frequency traps more "in the room" instead of the corners and since I wanted to place one on my low 7'4" ceiling, the 1.25" thickness of the RealTraps MicroTraps (compared to the 3.5" thick GIK 242 panels) was a plus.

Subjectively I felt the GIK traps definitely improved the sound. The most noticable difference to me was tighter bass drum. I made an attempt to take measurements using Room EQ Wizard to help with the placement of the traps and possibly my sub. In some cases the traps actually "created" nulls, I assume by absorbing a reflection that was cancelling a null. I decided to just ignore the frequency response, left my sub in its original position and used a low frequency waterfall plot to choose locations for the traps that minimized the ringing. It could be that now that I have the traps positioned to reduce ringing, I should revisit my listening position and sub position, I'm not sure.

Thank you so much for your comments.. As Ethan chimed in you all know we are pretty good friends, so for any of us to compare each other would not be right.. I really believe in Real Traps and I think that Ethan would agree he believes in GIK. I think the point is people are starting to realize that room treatment is one of he key ingredient to great sound.. Without it you are padding a canoe up stream without a paddle..

Glenn

 

[ned]

As Ethan chimed in you all know we are pretty good friends, so for any of us to compare each other would not be right..
Glenn

Why not? That's why we have forum like this to reveal the truth in product advertising especially in this bussiness since snake oils are prominent. It's always best for the consumer to know the facts.

 

[Glenn Kuras]

Why not? That's why we have forum like this to reveal the truth in product advertising especially in this bussiness since snake oils are prominent. It's always best for the consumer to know the facts.

If something is snake oil then yes I would be the first one to bring it up.. Companies like Foam By Mail is total fraud!!

Glenn

 

[STRONGBADF1]

Thumbs up to Glenn and Ethan!

Why not? That's why we have forum like this to reveal the truth in product advertising especially in this bussiness since snake oils are prominent. It's always best for the consumer to know the facts.

Thumbs up to Glenn and Ethan!

It is not usually in good taste in business to speak about what is bad about a competitors product in a public forum. I would be highly dissapointed in any of our fourm members that are vendor employees that degraded a competitors, or any reputable industry members, product openly in public.

That being said it is not usualy good business for that same person to tell you what the other product is superior at also.

Call both companies and get the info first hand (good and/or bad) and let the other forum members take sides.

Take care
SBF1

 

[Ethan Winer]

Ned,

> especially in this bussiness since snake oils are prominent. It's always best for the consumer to know the facts. <

Agreed. There is snake oil in this industry for sure, including some acoustic treatment vendors. But as Glenn pointed out, neither of us are snake oil merchants.

--Ethan

 

[ned]

It is not usually in good taste in business to speak about what is bad about a competitors product in a public forum. I would be highly dissapointed in any of our fourm members that are vendor employees that degraded a competitors, or any reputable industry members, product openly in public.

That being said it is not usualy good business for that same person to tell you what the other product is superior at also.

Call both companies and get the info first hand (good and/or bad) and let the other forum members take sides.

Take care
SBF1

I don't think I suggested in anyway that one company put down a competitor. Where did you get the idea anyway? I'm only interested in data and end user experience that's available here and others. This is not about taking sides either, it's about which products or combination of product works best in certain condition like the previous post for a reasonable cost. If the company desires to chime in and explain there product, that's what open forum is all about. I applaud 2 companies here providing lab certified product, but when you are ordering product unseen, it's nice to hear from end user. I personally have used Auralex product for my first project and am looking for another option for my second.

 

[Glenn Kuras]

Ned,

> especially in this bussiness since snake oils are prominent. It's always best for the consumer to know the facts. <

Agreed. There is snake oil in this industry for sure, including some acoustic treatment vendors. But as Glenn pointed out, neither of us are snake oil merchants.

--Ethan

Hey wait is this turning into a Real Traps review or a GIK review?

 

[Glenn Kuras]

Hey Ned,

Take a look at this link and see if this kind of answers other questions about what you may get out of using our product..
http://www.sbrjournal.net/currentissue/articles/acoustics/Acoustics.htm

Glenn

 

[ned]

Hey Ned,

Take a look at this link and see if this kind of answers other questions about what you may get out of using our product..
http://www.sbrjournal.net/currentissue/articles/acoustics/Acoustics.htm

Glenn

Thanks Glenn appreciate the article will go over it later. I'm tempted to get your Bass Traps but would 6" thick panel on a corner look tacky in a living room?

I also plan to do minitraps on the ceiling.

 

[Glenn Kuras]

Thanks Glenn appreciate the article will go over it later. I'm tempted to get your Bass Traps but would 6" thick panel on a corner look tacky in a living room?

I also plan to do minitraps on the ceiling.

I think if done right it can look pretty cool, but hey I look at them for a living..
Here is thread with a few other pictures to take a look..
http://hometheatertalk.com/httalk/viewtopic.php?t=18873
that is one thing as a company we are going to start doing better.. We get pictures all the time with write ups from customers. We really need to get that stuff up on the website.. And if I may brag for one min, , we have sold over 4000 panels and have never had one come back.. Well besides a couple of times when Fedex ran over the box!

Glenn

 

[Vaughan Odendaa]

myfipie, I have mailed your tech support. Hope to get prices on traps for my location soon.

And about the monster traps. Do they absorb to high frequencies as well ? Because I want to have the freedom to purchase as many bass traps as I need to flatten the room's response without worrying that it would deaden it completely.

And how low would monster traps absorb to ? Compared to the 244 traps ? Is it large difference ?

Thank you.

--Sincerely,

 

[Vaughan Odendaa]

I also would like to know what makes your traps stand out from the rest ? Are they rigid fiberglass with a membrane ? And I have persued the website and I've looked at all your pictures there.

Are there any additional links to more pictures ? Thanks.

--Sincerely,

 

[Glenn Kuras]

myfipie, I have mailed your tech support. Hope to get prices on traps for my location soon.

And about the monster traps. Do they absorb to high frequencies as well ? Because I want to have the freedom to purchase as many bass traps as I need to flatten the room's response without worrying that it would deaden it completely.

And how low would monster traps absorb to ? Compared to the 244 traps ? Is it large difference ?

Thank you.

--Sincerely,

The Monster are really kick butt down to 40 hz, but for you I would stick with the 244.. Reason being is shipping is going to kill you and they are not twice as good.. I put the quote in so lets see how it comes out.. I really have a feeling that shipping to South Africa is going to cost a freaken arm and leg!!!!
Maybe you could just order 4 of them and pay my plane ticket.. Hell I will even hang them for you..
Glenn

 

[Vaughan Odendaa]

Are you being serious about the plane ticket ? Hey, if I can save money then nothing is out of the question.

Haha. I'll check my mail. And thanks for replying so soon.

--Sincerely,

 

[Vaughan Odendaa]

Well, to give you an idea, I bought an SVS PB10 ISD subwoofer about four months ago. It costs about $430 and the shipping is about $200 or so, if I remember correctly.

In rands, the subwoofer itself excluding shipping came to a measly R2600.00 which is absolutely nothing. Incredibly cheap. I can get a Boston PV300 for that price in South Africa.

But with shipping and import duties, tax, administrative duties, etc, it came to R6000.00. It still was the best purchase I could have made. I don't think the panels will kill me in terms of shipping. . .then again, how much do they weigh again ?

--Sincerely,

 

[Glenn Kuras]

Well, to give you an idea, I bought an SVS PB10 ISD subwoofer about four months ago. It costs about $430 and the shipping is about $200 or so, if I remember correctly.

In rands, the subwoofer itself excluding shipping came to a measly R2600.00 which is absolutely nothing. Incredibly cheap. I can get a Boston PV300 for that price in South Africa.

But with shipping and import duties, tax, administrative duties, etc, it came to R6000.00. It still was the best purchase I could have made. I don't think the panels will kill me in terms of shipping. . .then again, how much do they weigh again ?

--Sincerely,

The 244 weighs 22 pounds and ships 2 per box (about 50 pounds).. I have them pricing out 6 of them also just to see how it comes out.. I know everytime I do a overseas shipment the price differents between 4 and 6 is very little..

>Are you being serious about the plane ticket ? Hey, if I can save money then nothing is out of the question. <

How is the beer there? I know one of my dreams is to sail around that area..

Glenn

 

[Vaughan Odendaa]

Did you send the email to me concerning the quote ? Because I checked a minute ago and I haven't recieved anything yet.

The beer in South Africa is pretty damned good. Heh. I know you were joking about the plane ticket but if it would save me money then I would seriously think about getting you over here and to install the traps for me.

I think 4 would be perfect for now. Two for the front corners and perhaps two for the parallel walls to reduce early reflections. I need to think. Your prices are excellent and I think I'll go with you.

Do you charge extra for installation ?

--Sincerely,

 

[Vaughan Odendaa]

Which, in your opinion, would be more effective; 6 244 traps or 4 244 traps and 2 of your thinner higher frequency panels (forgot the name) ?

Because in my room I am experiencing quite a bit of ringing at frequencies at 80hz and below. It sounds muddy and it sounds like the bass is lagging slightly. Above 80hz I know that I need treatment because it does sound ill-definied.

My only worry is that if I decide to purchase 8-10 244 traps that it might make my room too dead sounding. Ethan's traps are semi-reflective at high frequencies, I presume, so you have the ability to stock up on traps too flatten the response without penalities.

Can I expect the same thing from your traps ?

Thank you for addressing my queries.

--Sincerely,

 

[Glenn Kuras]

>Can I expect the same thing from your traps ? <

Oh yea if you look at our numbers you will see that ours work that same way..
They should be giving me shipping numbers first this this morning.. I will email you the shipping costs..