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Diffuser or absorber behind listening position....and is it worth doing??

I am a relatively new to serious two channel listening so I don't have a lot of experience to rely on. However, from what I have read on this site I do feel pretty confident that improving my room acoustics via absorber and defusers panels will be the best way to improve SQ at this point. Unfortunately, because my listening room doubles as my living room the only place I can only use panels ( no base traps) and only behind my listening position.... hence my title question. What say you.....will I benefit from adding diffusers? Or should it be absorbers? or forget it and be happy with what I have. (which I am.... )

Here are some room and placement specifics:
Room 12 ft by 18ft 
Speakers (ribbon tweeter) on Long wall with large window with wood blinds on right and drywall on the left
Speakers baffle are 32 inches off front wall and 48 inches off both side wall and are 10 ft apart with a 6x9 rug.
Sitting position can be either against the wall or 2ft off the wall (just slide couch forward....which I do because sound stage and imaging is better).

My main goal is to improve imaging and stage. If it is worth doing, would there be any other benefits? Also,
could you recommend how large a space should the panels cover..... how thick panels should be?

Thanks in advance



 
mrpsync
mrpsync OP
31 posts
 
Good info keeps coming.

Auxinput - thanks for the more in-depth explanation and panel types,....the rundown helped a lot.

Eric - you answer preempted my question about side panels function and type. got another one though. The GIK panels are only 5 ft tall and my tweeters are 42 inches off the floor. I'm thinking I need at least 6 ft of panel height... yes?

Chorus - with all the variables and unknowns the panels will have on the room's acoustics,  much less my interpretation of better. I think going with the DIY approach and getting 12 panels is the right path to get started for this experiment. This way I can customize sizes and depth to better fit the room and my storage requirements. I think I can build what I need for a little less than $200 (probably won't be pretty though). GIK was becoming a lot of money for an experiment.

Mark
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
@mrpsync, 
Thanks for initiating this thread as it has generated well informed and educational contributions from knowledgeable Gon members who know their stuff and willing to share their experience.  .

Besides you,  certainly others have gained iuseful nformation on how to systematically approach the first steps of applying acoustic treatments in one's home. This is an example when this forum really shines.
Charles 
mrpsync OP
31 posts
 
Auxinput - appreciate the insight on the 3lbs vs 6lbs. However I can't discriminate between the two on the site I'm using to order. Is the 2 inch thick 3lb and 4in thick 6lb?
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
No, it's the density of the material.  I think it is lbs per cubic foot of material.  So a 6lbs version of the 2" panel is going to be twice as heavy as the 3 lbs.  ATS Acoustics sells the 3 lbs version here:

https://www.atsacoustics.com/item--Owens-Corning-703-Case-of-6--1004.html

A box of 6 of the 703 2" thick 3 lbs version is $72.  Add about $50 for shipping gets you a total of $122.
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
Okay, hold the presses.  I was talking on assumptions.  The 703 has a density of 3 lbs.   It is the 705 that has a 6 lbs density.  So if you order the 703 from your website you should be good.

There is absolutely no difference in acoustics between the 3lb 703 and the 6lb 705.  The 705 is just going to be a heavier object to mount on the wall.  In most cases, you actually want the lighter 3lb density.

It isn't until you get to the Roxul Rockboard stiff/heavy panels that you will find any differences.  Their 2" panel will absorb more midbass frequencies (around 125 hz), but they are extremely heavy at 6lbs or 8lbs and they tend to sag.
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