Diffusion versus absorption behind speakers?

I have tried rugs, curtains, furniture etc as "room treatments" but in general I did not find significant improvements. Professionally made acoustic treatments (ie, GIK, RealTraps, etc) are designed (with measurements done in certified acoustic labs) to cover appropriate frequencies and are very effective. In my experience, furnitures, books, rugs, etc are crap a shoot and are less than satisfactory unless you have glaring acoustic problems (eg, room with extensive glass windows) in which case some minor improvements can be heard. Yes, some professional stuff are very expensive, but there are some (eg, GIK) who sell reasonably priced treatments.

But let's get back to my original question regarding room treatments behind the speakers. I don't mind if you mention specific products as long as you are not selling them. Thanks.

Some say that 60% of what you hear from your system is your ROOM.

I was told to try some wool carpets or blankets behind my speakers to keep my downstairs neighbor happy. I tried some thick 2.5' X 3' cotton rugs behind my speakers and she can't hear a thing now. If it can keep the sound from running down the walls (and I do play it loud at times), then one can imagine how it 'tames' reflective sound.

I've tried both absorption and diffusion behind my speakers at the front wall and in the end removed them and now don't use anything behind them. Instead, the corners are treated with bass traps, the upper corners with Eighth Nerve triangles and the seams where the ceiling meets the wall with Eighth Nerve rectangles. Unfortunately Eighth Nerve is no more, but their concept on how to treat rooms is very effective for me.

As previously mentioned one can eliminate many room interactions by listening near field, which due to my room configuration is really my only option. You might also want to post this over on AA. There are some great resources over there, especially David Aiken, who have helped me address this issue, especially the best methods to use diffusion.

Thanks Clio. I think your approach is making more sense to me. Leave the front wall alone and treat the corners of the room and possibly side wall first reflection point.