Beginner improvements for room acoustics; very helpful Darko video on reverb and RT60


I often find myself trying to help friends new to audio take their first steps toward improving their sound. Taming room reflection is, of course, the first step.

Many respond by saying some combination of "Why would I need that?" and "Isn't a rug and furniture enough?"

Darko's video explain the answer to both of these questions, and does so by explaining in layman's language what the sweet spot for reverb typically is, and why furniture and rugs are not often sufficient.

He describes a reasonable, middle way between going all out on room treatments and doing nothing. At the very least, he says at the end, do the ceilings.

https://youtu.be/dp_OdILUEkA

Again, old news to many here, but possibly of use for some here and for anyone advising others.

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If possible always ceiling first.

It’s obvious. It’s usually the shortest boundary (floor to ceiling) and can be the most offensive …

When building studios it’s the very first thing addressed …oven when vaulted 

it’s called “lifting the ceiling” 

There is no " one size fits all". My biggest problem with peddlers like Darko is convincing people he has the answers when he simply repeats the same old tropes. Absorb, diffuse or reflect first point? Depends. Ceiling or floor bounce good or bad? Depends. All rooms are different, all listeners are different, types of speakers matter, listening distance matters, hearing ability matters, preference matters, most of all the recording matters. Read Floyd Toole, here's an article better yet read his book. 

Ceiling is the one thing you can’t do in a living room.

Doesn't your living room have a ceiling? ;-)