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Diffuser panel design - overrated?

Often wondered about all the variations you see on diffuser panels. The interlaced cut squares.  Some companies offer mathematically and scientifically designed panels that are supposed to perform extremely well. By Specifically dealing with all those individual frequencies with carefully measured elevations within the cut squares. How the heck do they do this given all the harmonics that are involved.

I mean it's just pressure amplitudes going across the room and instead of being reflected off of a flat surface they get scattered when they hit an irregular surface.  And this provides improved clarity because it reduces the intensity of reverberations.  Very similar to water being scattered when it hits underwater irregularities versus a flat wall.

So just by rearranging your bookshelf to create an uneven surface area, isn’t this achieving the same thing.  It's not rocket science.

 

jumia
erik_squires
16,009 posts
 

The rocket science is in controlling the direction, and frequency spread of the diffusion. The width of the recesses and their frequency affect this. Also some diffusors have multiple different scatter patters going on at the same time to change the range at which they are effective.

No, they are not overrated, but may be too expensive, IMHO. ;) 

What they do is give you a high density solution, which allows you to precisely tailor a solution.  Meaning, for each square foot of wall or ceiling space you get a lot of effect.  Also, diffusion, especially between the speakers, really improves imaging and clarity, not by deleting sounds but by increasing the volume you get at your ears in the right, diffuse manor that actually helps you hear more.

jumia OP
528 posts
 

This is a cool answer, but if the diffuser is behind the speakers most of the sound is already going to the listener without going to the diffuser first.

 

onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,190 posts
 

Conceptually what you say is true, but it's the details that matter.  Haphazard vs. controlled.  Random vs. broadband.  Either path can end up with good results, but one is far more efficient.

erik_squires
16,009 posts
 

This is a cool answer, but if the diffuser is behind the speakers most of the sound is already going to the listener without going to the diffuser first.

I stand by my answer based on years of reading and experience. I suggest before you knock what you don’t understand that you do some reading and listening. 

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