Thanks for the comments and suggestions, a particular solid from from GK.
Diffusion vs. Sound Absorption views
I have Spatial Audio M4 Triode Master open baffle speaker in my listening room. I have sound treatment behind the top of the speakers with sound absorption panels hung on the wall and an Aurelex foam panel down to the floor.
It was recently brought to my attention that sound diffusion panels behind the speakers might yield an improvement in SQ over the sound absorption panels. The advice I got is that OB speakers benefit more from rear wall sound treatment with diffusion rather than absorption. I put the issue to you learned folks for advice. Thanks.
It was recently brought to my attention that sound diffusion panels behind the speakers might yield an improvement in SQ over the sound absorption panels. The advice I got is that OB speakers benefit more from rear wall sound treatment with diffusion rather than absorption. I put the issue to you learned folks for advice. Thanks.
- ...
- 18 posts total
whitestix, what you have are dipoles. Dipoles radiate in a figure 8 pattern. Very little energy goes to the sides. This actually makes them easier to deal with acoustically because there is only one primary reflection and that is off the front wall. For every foot your speakers are away from the front wall you can add 0.2 millisec to the delay. If your speakers are 3 feet from the wall that would be a delay of 0.6 millisec. This is to fast to be perceived as an echo. All frequencies are not reflected equally. This and the slight delay ruin your image. Diffusing the sound just makes things worse creating more reflections. You want to diminish the volume of the first reflection by absorbing as much as you can in the mid range and treble. Using double sided carpet tape attach two rows of these tiles from floor to ceiling directly behind the speaker. You can alternate the tiles making a nice pattern. https://www.parts-express.com/sonic-barrier-fwp122-studio-acoustic-foam-wedge-panel-12-x-12-x-2-black-12-pack--260-547 It is an inexpensive thing to do and you will notice that your image sharpens right up. In most cases that is all you need to do. You might notice a slight change in frequency respond with less treble. In most cases this sounds more natural but the big improvement will be in the imaging. |
Diffusion actually reduces the strength of reflections off of the front wall, behind the speakers. QDR diffusers placed vertically will reflect out horizontally into the room and most QDR's need at least 6ft between them and the listener to fully form a diffused sound field. If a QDR is enhancing reflections vs a bare sheetrock wall, you probably don't have them set up correctly. All diffusers absorb some of the reflected energy, as well. |
- 18 posts total