sound pannels

[ryanianmckinnon]

there not right in the corner there almost there like ten inches away from the corner

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

While I respect anyone wanting to do DIY bass traps and acoustical abosobers, it is not as easy as slapping some fabric or paint over fiberglass or foam. You really have to understand how much energy is being absorb in both the amplitude and frequency domain. You can very easily create a panel that has too much absorption which will suck the life out of the music.

Professional manufactured panels have their co-efficients measured meticulously so the user has a clear understanding of how they will act in their hometheaters. Without measuring instruments, you are flying blind, and can waste time and resources producing unacceptable results.

[JoeE SP9]

there not right in the corner there almost there like ten inches away from the corner

The position that you have chosen for your speakers is about the worst you could possibly choose. There are many sites on the web that give you guide lines for proper speaker placement. The three links below were randomly selected after doing a Google search on "speaker positioning".

http://www.nsmaudio.com/brochures/basicstsetup.html
http://www.polkaudio.com/education/article.php?id=15
http://www.onhifi.com/features/20000815.htm

[ryanianmckinnon]

ok i understand the DIY but the one thing i kinda have a problem with is the stereo is only in my bedroom and i know its not the greatest room but its all i got the room is 9x12 i think

[poppachubby]

While I respect anyone wanting to do DIY bass traps and acoustical abosobers, it is not as easy as slapping some fabric or paint over fiberglass or foam. You really have to understand how much energy is being absorb in both the amplitude and frequency domain. You can very easily create a panel that has too much absorption which will suck the life out of the music.

Professional manufactured panels have their co-efficients measured meticulously so the user has a clear understanding of how they will act in their hometheaters. Without measuring instruments, you are flying blind, and can waste time and resources producing unacceptable results.

True, true Terrence. I just make sure it doesn't cost too much for starters. Secondly, I find a way of doing things easily so that labour isn't too taxing. With these things in mind, it can be fun trying different things out. Certainly a different dimension of audio that most don't bother to even think about.

I have my own special gauge, it starts at "not bad" and actually has "whoa, wicked" on it

I made these today at work. I found a roll of 100% polyester partitioning fabric. Quite dense but thin. I've covered some particle board with the fabric. Obviously it's late and I can't trial it right now. We'll see...

I certainly can't afford the professionally made panels or traps, so this is it for me. Better than nothing.

I was using Cardas' Golden Cuboid but it kept getting modified for one reason or another. Mostly my 3 year old son. I just don't have the dedicated space to fully commit to Cardas' formula.S

[poppachubby]

Stapled and spray glued. I also included some light railing for mounting to the wall.

[poppachubby]

I changed plans with the bass traps. I put some paneling into the corners instead. I've covered the traps with a foil like material and now, I'm just moving them around, playing.

[poppachubby]

Corners...

[poppachubby]

Full view

[poppachubby]

Listening Seat

[ryanianmckinnon]

that looks not bad yeah u gotta plan out how much labour its gonna cost you and the materials and compare that to purchasing them online and see what one is cheaper and just mostly look around and see what your options are but if i did decide to make my own i have all the tools i need or at least access to them to build them

[frenchmon]

Listening Seat

Looks good pappaC....But the proof is in the listening. Did it do what you wanted it to do? Do you have the panels up to high?

frenchmon

[E-Stat]

You can very easily create a panel that has too much absorption which will suck the life out of the music...Professional manufactured panels have their co-efficients measured meticulously so the user has a clear understanding of how they will act in their hometheaters.

That is certainly true. One can always over damp a room, but using commercially made treatments doesn't solve the problem either. The use of any treatments always requires experimentation since each room is a unique combination of naturally reflective and absorptive properties and numerous other factors like shape and wall type. I found that what worked in my previous dedicated room was not what worked best in my current one. While my previous room was highly reflective, the current one is less so. Indeed, I found that the absorptive panels used in the old room removed some of the natural ambience of the new room. The paneling and asymmetrical walls in the current room rendered them unnecessary. I redeployed them to the garage which suffered massive slap echo and sorely needed them.

As for bass traps, you would be hard pressed to use too many in any environment. I use a dozen and could really use more.

Without measuring instruments, you are flying blind, and can waste time and resources producing unacceptable results.

True again, but I aver that most folks can make demonstrable improvements with a small budget using only their ears. One does not have to have a thorough room analysis before proceeding to correct obvious issues. Having said that, I did use basic instrumentation and measurements to help assist with speaker and bass trap placement for the most neutral response.

rw

[E-Stat]

I changed plans with the bass traps. I put some paneling into the corners instead. I've covered the traps with a foil like material and now, I'm just moving them around, playing.

Hmmm. If they are open at the top as they appear to be, they really do not serve as traps. The DIY flavor I use mimics the ASC bass trap design which is sealed. Take a look here. Hollow tubes are just not the same. Note that only half their circumference is reflective. While along the wall placement is used in the best installations, one typically begins with corner placement for the most effect.

rw

[hifitommy]

as well as visual beauty, i imagine the open framework damps some of the reflected sounds in a random manner.

;^)

[poppachubby]

as well as visual beauty, i imagine the open framework damps some of the reflected sounds in a random manner.

;^)

Thanks Tommy. I spray painted both that you see in the picture. One red and one blue. I now use them to store my audio related odds and ends.

If they are open at the top as they appear to be, they really do not serve as traps.

They're sealed E. My main problem is that my corners are occupied by my computer, and at the other end, a baker's rack. No space for them. To better learn and experiment, I put the reflective material on them and have been moving them throughout the room.

Oh and BTW, I am setting up a battery connection for my pre amp. Look here: http://forums.audioreview.com/attach...1&d=1259436527

[E-Stat]

They're sealed E. My main problem is that my corners are occupied by my computer, and at the other end, a baker's rack. No space for them.

How about the rear corners?

Oh and BTW, I am setting up a battery connection for my pre amp.

That certainly sidesteps all the running-on-AC related issues.

rw

[ryanianmckinnon]

are more acoustic pannels in a room better or no ?

[hifitommy]

not always. as sir terrence has stated, that can suck the life out of the music. first reflection points and behind dipolar planar speakers are prime points of absorption.

a bare floor could use a rug in front of the speakers too.

[E-Stat]

are more acoustic pannels in a room better or no ?

It is not a question with a single answer. You need the *right* number depending upon numerous variables. Which panels? What size panels? Placed where? In what size room? With what other furniture and floor covering?

rw

[ryanianmckinnon]

i get it so there is so many variables it all depends on how it sounds to you
and does having a carpeted floor help ?

[E-Stat]

i get it so there is so many variables it all depends on how it sounds to you

That's not exactly what I was saying. There are definite problems like slap echo and bass modes that need to be tamed. One does not necessarily need instrumentation, however, in order to judge improvements.

and does having a carpeted floor help ?

Highly reflective wood floors can be problematic. Overall, I would say yes.

rw

[ryanianmckinnon]

ok if u have wood floors whats the best thing to do to make your speaker
sound better like just put carpet under it ?