Just finished my DIY acoustic corner panels

Stew

Our new basement had a really nasty snap echo in one end that was really **** up the sound of my SDA's. There is a boxed in support beam that creates a small rectangular area in the ceiling as seen in the attached pictures. It was annoying to talk in this end of the room much less listen to music.

I found a product called Corner Busters (http://www.echobusters.com/cornerbusters.html) that claims to correct such problems. I temporarily stuck throw pillows in the corners just to see if this would work and sure enough the pillows helped. The Corner Busters seemed like the ticket but they are $190 plus s/h for a 4 pack!

Plan B - I found a company called ATS Acoustics (atsacoustics.com) that sells all the stuff you need to make your own. I bought a sheet of 1" thick Owens Corning 705 for $18.80 + $9.94 shipping = $28.74. The local fabric store had a good selection of canvas and I picked up 2 yards for around $15. Home Depot had 3m Super 77 spray adhesive for around $14. I built 4 for less than $60! Owens Corning 703 is cheaper and it may have been just as good but I only needed one sheet.

They work - No more echo!!!! The annoying mid/hi frequency echo is gone and the bass sounds much tighter.

Ricardo

Nice job; they look great!!!

Systems

Nice work Stew.Have you thought of building some panels for the side walls.Those SDA's might benfit from having some absorbtion at the first reflection points.

engtaz

Very nice job. Congrats

engtaz

Stew

GV#27 wrote: »

Have you thought of building some panels for the side walls.Those SDA's might benfit from having some absorbtion at the first reflection points.

I've thought about making one for the right side wall. It's 3' from the speaker where the left side wall is 6-1/2' from the speaker. The imaging sounds bigger on the left side and I've wondered if a panel on the right would help.

We haven't hung up pictures in our new house yet and my wife has a tapestry from Thomas Kinkade that I like. If I can talk her out of it, I might hang it on the right wall and put an acoustic panel behind it. A 2' x2' x 2" panel would fit. Do you think that would be large enough?

bigaudiofanatic

Nice now all you need is a bigger tv

Systems

Stew wrote: »

. A 2' x2' x 2" panel would fit. Do you think that would be large enough?

That should certainly help and it should be 3-4" thick, just use a few layers of OC703.That right speaker does look abit close to the wall which will be acting like a big reflector.For maximum SDA effect reflections in the 200-1000hz range should be minimized.

Stew

Thanks GV - I'll give that a try. I stacked pillows on top of the couch just to see if it makes a difference. It does open up the soundstage on that side a bit. Acoustic panels should work much better.

Some of the web sites that sell acoustic panels also show panels behind the speakers and on the rear wall. I don't want to get carried away but just curious how much that really helps. It seems like couches, pillows, etc. would address reflections to some extent. Does it really help a lot to have that many panels?

ben62670

I have to step up, and treat my room. I know that I need it it bad. I have some pretty big peaks, and I know the answer. I wish ridged fiberglass was available locally:(
Looks good. Do you know the mirror trick to figure out sound reflections?
Ben

Systems

Stew wrote: »

Some of the web sites that sell acoustic panels also show panels behind the speakers and on the rear wall. I don't want to get carried away but just curious how much that really helps.

For me the biggest improvement was brought about when I placed panels at each side wall first reflection point and the upper rear wall and rear corners.I tried some big panels directly behind the spreakers but I did not find them to make any difference.Like you I had a slap echo problem. I was able to control it by adding corner traps in the upper half of the rear corners and 2 panels across the back wall.Adding bass traps in any of the rooms corners should be benificial and I plan to build a pair soon.

It seems like couches, pillows, etc. would address reflections to some extent.

They will.

Does it really help a lot to have that many panels?

The more lively and reflective the room(ie sparsely furnished,bare hardwood floors) the greater the need for more absorbtion to be added.

Stew

ben62670 wrote: »

Do you know the mirror trick to figure out sound reflections?

Ben - I do not. How does it work?

Systems

ben62670 wrote: »

I wish ridged fiberglass was available locally:(

Mineral wool works just as well but as its not rigid you will need to build a wood frame.look for the ROXUL brand.

Stew

Lasareath wrote: »

Very nice job Stew!

I have ATS acoustic panels in my listening room. But I have no space to make my own so I just bought their panels.

Thanks Sal! I'm not sure I could make them much cheaper than ATS sells them. I didn't see any corner panels on their web site so I made these. If I decide to go with flat panels, I may buy some already made from ATS as well.

ben62670

From your listening position have someone take a mirror, and hold it near flat against the walls. When you can see your teeters in the mirror you have found the primary reflection point;) Thats where the biggest HF reduction can be made.
Ben

ben62670

GV#27 wrote: »

Mineral wool works just as well but as its not rigid you will need to build a wood frame.look for the ROXUL brand.

Will do. Thanks again GV. I have my pre running now:)

Systems

ben62670 wrote: »

I have my pre running now:)

Great I just checked that thread.Fun stuff eh;)

Stew

ben62670 wrote: »

From your listening position have someone take a mirror, and hold it near flat against the walls. When you can see your teeters in the mirror you have found the primary reflection point;) Thats where the biggest HF reduction can be made.
Ben

Thanks Ben - I'll try that today.

agentgreen

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but, I just built some corner panels myself, and am having a hard time figuring out how to hang them. How did you go about doing this?

Thanks!

messiah

Just like you would hang a painting or anything else.

Spehoks09

dats some cool ish..why not get the interior neons and have them hooked up the same why? Just wondering.

concealer404

Spehoks09 wrote: »

dats some cool ish..why not get the interior neons and have them hooked up the same why? Just wondering.

Right on! RICE THE BASEMENT!!!




Reported.