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
My speakers sound just fine, at least to me in my room. No acoustic treatments whatsoever. The room is furnished with a mix or balance of reflective and absorbing materials. I just turn the system on and enjoy my music. I'm not fussing over this stuff, as it makes the hobby unenjoyable to me. Besides, all these things stuck up on the wall are ugly. I'd rather accomplish basically the same thing with a balanced room via its contents or furnishings. Jmo
@gs5556 

Thank you for the circling tones test link.  Freaked me out...I could swear there was a speaker directly to my right and left.  Very cool holographic test.  
YES i use STILLPOINTS APATURE panels they make substantial improvement in imaging,bass and sound stage.I also use 2 more as well these are the best by far.
Regarding the need for treatment at reflexion points I believe there are many factors at play.

Some that come to mind at this moment:
type of speaker
size and dimensions of room
orientation of speakers in room
absorption vs diffusion
near field listening (degree of)
placement of funiture
one's sonic preferences

Now your post makes me question which panels are the most critical.



And that’s all I’m trying to do. Imagine you place 8 vertical panels around the room, with 4 of them at reflection points. If you then rotate them all, say 15 degrees from the listener's line of site, so they are no longer exactly on the mirror line, does it do anything all that critical? I do not think so.

The most important part is getting to critical mass in absorption, and adding diffusion in the right areas. The laser-line, first reflection points, in my mind, have never born fruit.