"First reflection"...what it means, why it's important, how to find it

[Athalwolf]

I defer to the experts but having been through some room treatment in my previous home
there are always comprises like doorways and fireplaces, not many live in a recording studio.

And I think already having some panels gives you an advantage in adding or subtracting
and the resultant effects.

My first question is did you do some listening without the 3 rear panels mounted and if so
did it change in a beneficial direction?

Perhaps replacing with diffusers might be useful having that doorway unloading that end of the room.

Will be following further suggestions.

Hiya Rick. I have been listening for almost a year now sans rear panels. I have not listened with them there. I am working a lot and hope to find time after work tomorrow. The panels are not mounted. They are just raw foam leaning against the wall.

Yes indeed that area behind the couch is screaming for diffusion not foam. I like your point about the hallway.

Good diffusers are pricey so I am thinking of making one or three for that spot. I need to watch a few more DIY vids to determine which type I want. I'll have plenty of time this winter to put something together. Hope that you are well.

 

[Athalwolf]

I'm new to this as well. Learning on the fly.

Maybe play a mono record and play it on the left speaker then the right and note any difference with the one next to the opening.
It looks like those panels only deal with mid and high frequency.
Play around with placement and see what works.
I'm guessing first reflections on walls and ceiling maybe.

I grabbed the panels off Craigs for a good price. They just popped up so I thought I should grab them. I'll add bass traps and diffusion next. Good points Ollie. Thanks for responding.

 

[Brindabella]

Hiya Rick.

Good diffusers are pricey so I am thinking of making one or three for that spot. I need to watch a few more DIY vids to determine which type I want. I'll have plenty of time this winter to put something together. Hope that you are well.

My preference is DIY, give me the aesthetics of timber any day over esky (cooler box) foam, but I have used these with noticeable and worthwhile results.

Rob

 

[Brindabella]

Whooops......forgot to add this from above

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2D-Sky-Skraper-Sound-Acoustic-Diffuser-Diffusor-Panel-Absorption-Treatment/232227574807?_trkparms=ispr=1&hash=item3611d79417:g:1LwAAOSw9GhYlFgZ&enc=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&checksum=23222757480725b29dc35a164fbb8f14b177a61bae89

 

[OllieMeyer]

Added two more 244 bass traps to the room. They are now at the side reflection points and the other traps moved to behind the listening position as they have scatter plates inside.

Really happy with the acoustics in the room. Still lively but the bass is solid and tight.

 

[tomlinmgt]

Added two more 244 bass traps to the room. They are now at the side reflection points and the other traps moved to behind the listening position as they have scatter plates inside.

Really happy with the acoustics in the room. Still lively but the bass is solid and tight.

That’s a great place to be if the source material is good and the electronics can convey the recording honestly. It’s the sonic landscape I prefer. Tight and authoritative bass with heft, a robust mid range and top end that has lively snap. The room has to be well tuned to get all this right. Looks to me like you’re there

 

[OllieMeyer]

That’s a great place to be if the source material is good and the electronics can convey the recording honestly. It’s the sonic landscape I prefer. Tight and authoritative bass with heft, a robust mid range and top end that has lively snap. The room has to be well tuned to get all this right. Looks to me like you’re there

Really enjoying the room. It's amazing how bass can obscure the sound if it's not treated.
Listening to albums it's clearer and I'm picking up sounds in the background that come through better than before.

 

[tomlinmgt]

Really enjoying the room. It's amazing how bass can obscure the sound if it's not treated.
Listening to albums it's clearer and I'm picking up sounds in the background that come through better than before.

For sure. I’ve found that clarity of low frequency content, the mid bass region in particular, is key to getting a dark background behind highly defined image resolution and inner detail. Sloppy bass is like too much sauce or seasoning on a dish...it overwhelms and conceals all the nuanced flavors.

 

[OllieMeyer]

Interesting dilemma. Since the latest acoustic purchase I've noticed that at higher volumes I'm now getting vibration through the listening chair.
The speaker stands also vibrate. They are filled and with spikes going through the rug to the floor.
I'm on a crawl space so I'm thinking maybe I need to isolate the speakers better.
I've tried with spikes up with no change.
The bass sounds excellent still so performance wise no complaints.

 

[Brindabella]

Interesting dilemma. Since the latest acoustic purchase I've noticed that at higher volumes I'm now getting vibration through the listening chair.
The speaker stands also vibrate. They are filled and with spikes going through the rug to the floor.
I'm on a crawl space so I'm thinking maybe I need to isolate the speakers better.
I've tried with spikes up with no change.
The bass sounds excellent still so performance wise no complaints.

I wonder if a concrete 40x40cm garden paver and glue on some rubber feet or furniture pads (not scratch any un-carpeted floor) could assist? This is what I have done, it worked for me.

Rob