diffusion question

[Batch68]

I've been, as time and money allow, treating my room and I've finally reached the back wall. While I think I understand absorption and bass trapping, diffusion seems far more complicated and I'm not sure how to proceed. Here's the deal: my listening position is only 4 1/2 feet from the back wall & that back wall is dominated by two solid wood sliding doors for a large closet. I know I'm getting terrible reflections from the doors, but I keep reading that less than 6' might complicate diffusion.

I think (but may be totally wrong) that I need to go w/ 2D because of how close I am, but how much area do I need to cover? And where (in relation to my listening chair)? I can rig it up so panels hang down over the doors. Would these work:
http://www.silentsource.com/diffusors-rpg-hemiffusor.html


Thanks
Scott

 

[tomlinmgt]

Have you ever sat and listened with those closet doors all the way open? That has the potential to be an excellent bass trap and if there are clothes hanging in there a good HF/upper mid range absorber.

One thing to keep in mind with a 2D diffuser on the walls is that it will scatter content toward the ceiling which, you being as close to the diffuser as you say you are, could cause an early reflection off the ceiling...not good. You generally see 1D on walls and 2D on ceiling or walls farthest away from speakers/listener.

- Michael

 

[Batch68]

Michael,
The doors slide (one in front of the other to access the closet), so they can't be thrown open. Thanks though.

 

[RevMen]

Why don't you uninstall the doors for a while and see how it affects the sound? Maybe you could replace them with a different type of doors, with louvers or something.

 

[Batch68]

I think I may have given you the wrong impression about the closet. It doesn't have a rack of sound-absorbing clothing across it -- the back wall is just another blank, reflective surface. Here's a few shots w/ the doors slid over to the right to give you a better idea. Would replacing a reflective surface 4 1/2 feet away w/ one 7 feet away actually improve things? Thanks gents.

 

[oneinthepipe]

I think that 2.5' might make a difference.

Nevertheless, rear wall treatment doesn't necessarily need to be diffusion. Absorption also works. How about removing the doors and filling the closet with OC 703, purchased from KAMCO or another building supplier, where 12 sheets of 2" thick 24"X48" panels are approximately $70.00, IIRC. You would have good rear wall absorption and a humongous bass trap.

My two-channel system: http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=systems;area=browser;system=983