How do I dampen my listening environment?

Yes, your wood floors may indeed look gorgeous, but what you need now is a gorgeous area rug to accent the room and floor and minimize some of those reflections. Also, lots of oversized Pottery Barn floor-to-ceiling velvet draperies will help immensely.

Then along the floor borders stack a few oversized accent pillows randomly. Finally, add some soft lighting around the perimeter of the room to further highlight the wood flooring still exposed.

This should be a good compromise between aesthetics and room acoustics plus it gives you an opportunity to show off your design talents while still highlighting your cool refinished floor.

-IMO

Here's the mirror method of determining first reflection points. You'll need a friend.

1. Since in the listening seat while a friend runs a mirror along one side wall. The point at which you see the reflection of the speaker from the same channel as the well you're examining is the first reflection point for sound from that speaker and is the location at which you should place a diffuser.

2.Continue along the same wall. At some point you'll see the reflection of the OPPOSITE speaker. This is the first reflection point for sound from the OPPOSITE speaker. You should place a diffuser here as well although this is nowhere near as import as the first case.

3. The same process can be used for both the ceiling and floor.

4. Remember, while these are called "points" of first reflection, an area of usually 2'-4' wide will most likely need to be treated.

5. Skylines from RPG or Auralex panels are particular good for the ceiling. The floor, if not carpeted, can be dealt with with a rug.

Good luck

How big a mirror should one use?

"12-22-09: Unsound
How big a mirror should one use?"

It should be the same size as you wall. Otherwise how would you know what is missing?

Bob

How do get a mirror that big into you listening space?>)