Sound absorbing panel placement

gmcman · June 2016

I'm going to use some Roxul I have laying around and fabricate some panels for my 2B's. I know we need to treat the first reflection points, but for those that have done this before, what are some good tips for placement that tend to be more effective?

My listening space is 26'x 13', & 8' ceiling, I have wood paneling throughout and a carpeted floor. Would placing panels directly behind the speaker be a "must do"? Also what about the ceiling? I can use a calculator and determine the amount of material needed, but I'm curious if there is always a position they "need" to be in aside from just total square feet of material.

I really don't want to hang a 1x4 frame on the ceiling so maybe there's a thinner alternative.

I hope I provided enough information, all input appreciated.

motorhead43026 · June 2016

Follow this link, it has some good information.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-8VqCJKlZyY9/learn/learningcenter/home/speakers_roomacoustics.html

skrol · June 2016

I helped my son make some panels with Rockwool for his studio. I had borrowed a couple to place on the side walls beside my LSi15's. There was a big improvement in the sound stage.

gmcman · July 2016

I have 5 Roxul Safe N Sound batts which are 15 1/4" x 47" left over from another project and are 3" thick. A little too thick for what I wanted to hang on the walls, but after some research, seems the 1.5" material is not terribly less absorbent than the 3" except for when you get lower than 500 Hz.

I made 4 panels which are 1 1/2" thick and measure 15"x47", I had to shave down the batts to half their thickness which was a pain but turned out ok. I have some fabric on the way but for now I placed them at the 1st reflection on the left, behind my head, and 2 on the far right wall. I could notice a difference right away in sound stage and the reduced reverb in the room. I used the rest of the Roxul and made 4 more panels adding 2 more to the far right and 1 behind each speaker but off to the sides.

I remember DK's thread on how he accidentally realized that the grills acted favorably when placed there and while that exact placement for mine will need further research, I will say that 8 panels, even being 1.5" thick, have made a dramatic difference. Still need to play around with placement, will likely add a few more based on my room calculations calling for 16 but that may be a few more than I can get away with.

mikeyb128 · July 2016

I found 1st reflection point and the rear wall to be the most important. I also found treating the wall behind the speakers is a bad idea. You want reflection off the wall behind the speakers for better soundstage and imaging. I played with some absorption behind there and killed sound stage in my room.

CoolJazz · July 2016

Don't forget that pulling your panels out from the wall slightly will increase their effectiveness. Get like an inch or a little more space away.

I found that after first reflection points that some experimenting on the front wall behind the speakers was interesting. Tight to the corner seemed to be pretty important in my room. After that, I liked some absorbency in the center front. With that center area open and adding a panel there, you get incredible soundstaging and depth!

Breaking up bigger flat areas is also then something to look to. Varying the style and depth of the panels is also effective. You don't want to over-deaden with all the same exact style of treatment and wind up with significant absorption at some frequencies and next to none at others. Broadband treatment is a good target.

CJ

gmcman · July 2016

I appreciate the tips, hopefully the fabric arrives tomorrow and I can start wrapping them up.

I also submitted a form to GIK and they are helping me on this as well. They have recommended few bass traps and I will likely add those.

Conradicles · July 2016

Also, try different configurations for yourself. Don't believe everything you read on the internets.

Mike Reeter · July 2016

I've had panels on the back wall in two different homes, on good recordings the soundstage is as wide as the room, the instruments and players are all positioned properly and the center imaging is spot on.

Without the rear panels I was getting a lot of notes bouncing around and the stage was not as "focused". SDA's throw sound backwards also, the panels really tightened everything up and made the stage deeper.

At least that's my experiences, I plan on adding Bass traps one of these days to compliment the rest of the panels.

oldrocker · July 2016

^^ Nice

gmcman · July 2016

oldrocker wrote: »

^^ Nice

Yeah, I almost noticed the sound panels....

Nice rig.

I'll play around with them behind the speakers or off to the sides of the speakers...could be room dependent. Based on my conversation with GIK, the bass traps are high on the priortity list for sure.

Mike Reeter · July 2016

[/quote]

I'll play around with them behind the speakers or off to the sides of the speakers...could be room dependent. Based on my conversation with GIK, the bass traps are high on the priortity list for sure.[/quote]

Yes, without question, panel placement is entirely room dependent. I have panels on the side walls also at the first reflection points, but none behind the seating area as that wall is an open staircase to the upper level.

So, my room is not perfect, I've just tried to make the best out of what I've got to work with. Good luck with your project, I'm a firm believer in treating the room.

gurot1 · July 2016

Working on some Safe N Sound panels myself. I am glad to hear you heard an improvement. Probably going to go with first reflection points,,behind the listening position and behind centre channel which has a window right behind it. Going to build some superchunk bass traps in the rear corners (not much space at the front for them).

Sound absorbing panel placement

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