Acoustic panels, base traps etc...

[GMichael]

Hi all,

I am looking to put some sound control in my new HT room (when it's done). Here is one kit that looks like it may do a fair job.
http://www.truesoundcontrol.com/products/RDSTD36.html

Does anyone know of better for less? I'm not looking to spend a fortune as my system is relatively modest. I have seen cheaper on PE's site, but those were on the ugly side. Even though they would have covered more area, I don't want to go that way. Looking good counts. Their corner traps look OK so I may bring them in.

The room is 14' by 26' but opens into another area (kitchen & dining) of the same size. (28' by 26' total) Only a 6' of wall between them along the 26" side..

Thank you for any help or leads.

Mike

[Resident Loser]

...but I did the high WAF route of throw pillows, curtains and rugs before I went straight to room EQing...

jimHJJ(...sorry...)

P.S. It's like deja vu all over again, sounds like an echo...

[paul_pci]

Check out www.acousticalsolutions.com as I think they provide more asthetically minded products.

[kexodusc]

Hey GM:

I have the Auralex stuff - those roominator kits are very expensive for what they do, and don't do nearly as much as they should.

If you decide on acoustic foam, I recommend:
http://www.foambymail.com/Wedge.html or
http://www.foamandupholstery.com/wed...__sheets.htm#4

80% of the performance for a fraction of the price...


A much better alternative is to use wall panels made with either mineral wool or rigid fiberglass. If you're up to the task you can make your own, they look very nice, and it's cheap to do...here's some good links on how (I can dig up more info if you want, it's super easy):
http://www.bobgolds.com/TrapMartin/home.htm
http://www.bobgolds.com/AbsorptionCoefficients.htm (scroll down, there's all kinds of links).

For raw material I bought my 2 x 4 ft panels from Ottawa Fiber for about $0.65 per sq ft. Then some fabric to cover them. Doesn't take long per panel. A good source for the materials:
http://www.atsacoustics.com/cat--Raw...ials--102.html

And if you prefer the finished product, this is as good, and as cheap as I've seen:
http://www.atsacoustics.com/cat--ATS...nels--100.html

I posted a few months ago about me inheriting some Auralex and Sound sucker foam panels...trust me, mineral wool/rigid fiberglass is much better. Especially below 400 Hz, where it can perform 2-6 times better. Looks much better than the foam too.

I have 100 sq ft coverage in my room so far (more to build still) and it actually was cheaper than the acoustic foam - it works much, much better. I cannot emphasize this enough, the foam is better than nothing, cheap to ship, but for best results, you're better off with real acoustic panels. What happens when you use the foam is that the highs get absorbed, but the lower mids, upper bass, and low bass don't. Using thicker foam helps a bit, but not much. The foam is a great, inexpensive solution for flutter/echoe, but not for absorbing sound at reflection points, and definitely not for bass traps.

Awhile back, the studiotips forums had Jeff D. Szymanski from Aurlaex share some test results comparing the Auralex stuff with some DIY recipes - only Auralex's MegaLENRD's - the flagship acoustic foam product ($$$) outperformed stock OC703 rigid fiberglass. I'm sure Google on some of those key words would turn it up for you. Even the ATSA panels would be a better value and performer, IMO.

[GMichael]

Thanks Paul,

I'll check them out.

Wow Kex,

Looks like I have some reading for the rest of the day. Thanks again.

Thanks to you too RL,

But I've got wifey's go ahead for real panels. Echo? Did you say echo?
Echo? Did you say echo?

Mike

[Florian]

Hey GM,

send me your number again please. You know i have the solution for you ;-)

[Woochifer]

Hard to say what you'll actually need until the room is finished and furnished, and you have a better idea of what acoustical issues your room presents. Everything from the windows to the walls to the furniture and floor coverings have different absorptive/reflective properties. Your room is going to be somewhat larger-than-average, and depending on how far from the walls you intend to position your speakers and where your seated position is located, your room might not present the kinds of drastic acoustical issues typical of smaller rooms.

Kex linked you to a lot of great resources (they've been quite educational for me as well). I think in your situation, the low frequencies will probably still present at least one problem frequency. Bass traps will help reduce the magnitude of this issue and smooth out the response curve, while equalization will take care of the rest. The slap echo and time domain problems depend a lot on the materials in the room and how you have your system positioned in relation to the seating location and the walls. Depending on how the room is appointed, it's very possible to overdo it with the absorption. And don't forget about diffusion. Even if you think they're ugly, those retro-looking acoustic "popcorn" ceilings do a great job at reducing the echoes and tightening up the sound.

Here's another link to some resources for room treatment products.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volum...04-part-1.html

[GMichael]

Hard to say what you'll actually need until the room is finished and furnished, and you have a better idea of what acoustical issues your room presents. Everything from the windows to the walls to the furniture and floor coverings have different absorptive/reflective properties. Your room is going to be somewhat larger-than-average, and depending on how far from the walls you intend to position your speakers and where your seated position is located, your room might not present the kinds of drastic acoustical issues typical of smaller rooms.

Kex linked you to a lot of great resources (they've been quite educational for me as well). I think in your situation, the low frequencies will probably still present at least one problem frequency. Bass traps will help reduce the magnitude of this issue and smooth out the response curve, while equalization will take care of the rest. The slap echo and time domain problems depend a lot on the materials in the room and how you have your system positioned in relation to the seating location and the walls. Depending on how the room is appointed, it's very possible to overdo it with the absorption. And don't forget about diffusion. Even if you think they're ugly, those retro-looking acoustic "popcorn" ceilings do a great job at reducing the echoes and tightening up the sound.

Here's another link to some resources for room treatment products.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volum...04-part-1.html

Thank you Wooch,

I guess I'll wait until the room is set up to pick the treatments needed.

There will be a large (very soft) sectional in the room. One side will be along the large window (that will have blackout curtains) and then wrap around through the center of the room. This will leave about 5 feet between the back of the sectional and the wall separating the living room from the stairwell. Most of the room will be carpeted. But the 5 feet behind the sectional will be hardwood. The kitchen and dining area will also be hardwood. There will be cabinets and a countertop (quartz) dividing the living room from the kitchen. The front speakers will be on the far right wall in the picture above. This is also where the 106" screen will be. This leaves only a couple of feet to each side for the mains. I was thinking of 2' by 2' pads behind each main and on the side walls. Also a 2' by 4' pad on the ceiling. This will also cut down on the light reflection off the ceiling onto the screen. But I'll set it all up first to see what problems it may give me.

Thanks for your help.
Thanks to everyone. You guys are the greatest.

[L.J.]

Lot's of great info in this thread. I had to bump it for easy access