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
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??


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
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.
Thanks @mapman!!

So the other area which to me is more important is the floor between and behind the speakers.   It seems that treble harshness always lives there.

Definitely not first reflection points.

Best,

Erik
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