ATS Acoustic panels / superb performers!!!

pearsall001

Well I just recently added a few absorption panels from ATS Acoustics (3) 2'x2'x4" & (1) 2'x4'x4". The build quality is outstanding & their fabric choices are pretty extensive. These new panels combined with my GIK monster bass trap (1) 2'x4'6" & the Echo Busters corner traps (2ea) have really put a smile on my face. It's so hard to believe what actually happens. The music just takes on a whole new presence, the bass is just so damn tight now I can hardly believe it. My friends actually checked to see if my SVS sub was on. They couldn't believe it either. The vocals & instruments are so well defined & the soundstage has taken on a whole new dimension. I'm telling you if you've never thought about treating your room - mistake - BIG MISTAKE!!! It has got to be the best bang for the buck you can possibly spend. Forget about new cables, IC's, power cords, just get involved with your room. By the way ATSacoustics.com is the most reasonably priced company I have found to date. They only do absorption panels but are working on bass traps. They also sell all the material for the DIY crowd. But for me they were so cheap it didn't make sense to go the DIY route. Just do it!!!!

Early B.

Wow. Thanks for the tip. Glad you found an inexpensive set of panels.

I'm not sure I could use them. My 2-channel system is set up in the living room and the WAF meter is off the charts there. However, I understand that lots of furniture, carpet, curtains, wall hangings, etc. help a lot in reducing reverberations and echos, and improving bass. My living room is 12' x 17' and it has furniture in every corner (bookshelfs in the front corners and thick chairs in the back corners right next to the speakers). The speakers fire directly into a sofa and there's thick carpet on the floor. My biggest issue is that I have windows with blinds, not curtains, right behind both speakers. I also have a large opening on one side of the short wall. Will this room still benefit from applying acoustic panels to the front walls?

dorokusai

I've been working with them on some small triangle corner traps and I agree, they are definetly inexpensive compared to alot of other companies. We picked a color last week, just trying to finalize the little stuff.

pearsall001

Early,

It's my understanding that all rooms need some sort of treatment. How much can be done is room dependent. That's a tough one having windows right behind the speakers. I also know all about the WAF. I've been thru it already. What helped calm her down was I got her involved with the fabric decision. That way she can't complain, yeah right. When all was said & done she was fine, after all she picked the fabric. To read up & get some really great info check out Ethanwiner.com. He seems to be the acoustics guru, has his own company Realtraps.com & he's the one that can help with your window situation. It' tough but it can be done. Good luck

Early B.

Thanks, Pear. Time to get my learn on...

haimoc

Yes, AC panels are important for acoustic room treatment. If you make a bass trap yourself, make sure they are at least 4 inches thick.

hearingimpared

This is for an audio room that is pretty much dedicated to just that. . . WAF is eased by having her get involved with the material and placement.

Try this. . .

1. get a whole bunch of 2 1/2 dozen flat egg holder slats, they are about 18" x 18". You can usually get them free from a local food center or super market.

2. go to your local speaker grille cloth specialty shop and pick out colors with your wife, mix and match make sure it isn't too transparent. It really isn't that expensive.

3. wrap the slats with the grille cloth. You could spray paint the slats black but they are already charcoal grey.

4. Now comes the fun . . . 1st start with the walls opposite your speakers, then the side walls, backs walls and yes the ceiling if necessary. Placing them in diamond patterns first then try N, square, and X patterns.

You will not believe how well and how cheaply you can tune your room.

A good tip would be to glue paint stirrers to the back of each slat for easy wall mounting.

I have done this in two different rooms in the past fifteen years. One room was covered in wood paneling, had a large sliding glass door coved with Z pleated shads, carpeting and a fireplace, long and narrow. The other room was sheet rock with a couple of windows and a low ceiling (7 1/2') square shaped.

The only thing that I couldn't do aesthetically to her satisfaction was the corners. They looked a little awkward but I am telling you, you can't get a better tuning system that inexpensively even with the low cost of ATS.

I really had fun doing this and could keep tuning and tuning because it was so cheap. When we get our new home I plan on doing the same thing in that audio room.

One other note . . . after you do this if you don't like its looks or WAF kicks in, you now know what and where that room needs to be tuned and you did it for the cost of the speaker grille cost and your time. Pretty good trade off!!!

ohskigod

I heard those egg holders work great, I'm worried about the flammable issue though

hearingimpared

ohskigod wrote:

I heard those egg holders work great, I'm worried about the flammable issue though

I'm not sure why this would be anymore flammable than anything else hanging on the wall. But they do work very well.