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Does the first reflection point actually matter??

Hello my friends,

So please read the whole post before commenting. The question is nuanced.

First, as you probably know I’m a huge fan of the well treated room, and a fan boy of GIK acoustics as a result, so what I am _not_ arguing is against proper room treatment. I remember many years ago, perhaps in Audio magazine (dating myself?) the concept of treating the first reflection points came up, and it seems really logical, and quickly adopted. Mirrors, flashlights and lasers and paying the neighbor’s kid (because we don’t have real friends) to come and hold them while marking the wall became common.

However!! In my experience, I have not actually been able to tell the difference between panels on and off that first reflection point. Of course, I can hear the difference between panels and not, but after all these years, I want to ask if any of you personally know that the first reflection point really matters more than other similar locations. Were we scammed? By knowing I mean, did you experiment? Did you find it the night and day difference that was uttered, or was it a subtle thing, and if those panels were moved 6" off, would you hear it?


Best,


Erik
erik_squires
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,879 posts
 
1st reflection points typically do matter most meaning more than 2nd, 3rd etc. Reason being that is where the absorbing effect of treatments will typically be greatest FBOFW.

The only treatments I use with my Ohm Walsh speaker setup are 24” x 24” auralex pads on walls at the first reflection points to my primary listening locations. These are pseudo-Omni ie very wide dispersion speakers that deliver a large sweet zone not just a single spot.

These are far enough away to probably not be a problem in regards to early reflections which is always bad. More of an insurance policy for that.

My assessment is they did help solidify and focus the soundstage and imaging. Which is what I was shooting for, so they remain there. Nothing to do with tonality of the sound. I do other things in there for that as needed.
jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
depends on toe in and size of listening triangle relative to room boundaries, and in the case of this particular query, the side walls

if speakers firing straight ahead, and speakers have a wide dispersion pattern, the first reflection is key to manage
erik_squires OP
16,766 posts
 
Hey @mapman

I'm curiuos if you have attempted to move those absorbers just off the mirror point?  Leave them nearby, just not exactly where they were.

Is the difference stark??


erik_squires OP
16,766 posts
 
Hi @photon,

Well, I didn’t have just one system in one room. I’ve had several systems across multiple apartments.

Never a dedicated, music only room. I’ve had Monitor Audio, Focal, and now my own custom speakers. In placing the GIK Acoustic panels I never had a big "Oh wow" moment with 1st reflection points.

What mattered more, MUCH more, was having enough room treatment.

Best,

E
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,879 posts
 
No need to do that with the Omni Ohms. I can just listen from other spots nearby where the pads are not at first reflection and compare again. Will do that when I get a chance and report back.
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