Absorption, Diffusion or a combination of it all?


Looking to add more acoustic treatment on the wall behind the speakers. Currently using GIK absorption panels (242). 
Planning to add two more panels that would hang pretty much directly behind the speakers on the upper part of the wall (higher quality image on my system page). 
Any benefit going with diffusors?

Thanks!!!

audphile1

From what I’ve read, which may or may not be accurate in all instances, is that you want absorption behind the speakers (front wall), and diffusion behind the listening chair (back wall).  Based on experience, I can vouch that the aforementioned holds true for electrostatic (dipole) speakers, but I'm not sure that it carries over so definitively for regular speakers. 

OP. Anthony Grimaldi has an "acoustic recipe" based on thousands of rooms he has tuned. You may want to tweak it a bit but it gets you extremely pleasing results as a starting point. It starts at the :49 min mark in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/live/G0ekssXX7rE?feature=share

 

Both, is typically the answer.

Diffusion - and even deflection - has been the greatest help for my system, once the bass was tamed (with absorption).

According to the pro's pros, without a proper analysis of the room, you are guessing, and may make the acoustics worse.

I have experimented a lot over the years with acoustic panels, mostly from GIK. I have used both ears and REW measurements to accomplish what I like. I am currently all GIK. What worked for me best is:

Side walls: Combination of 242s and Alpha 4As

Ceiling: 242s

Front wall (behind the speakers): Alpha 4A and 6A

Bass traps: Alpha 6As (my corners are scaled, with multiple outings, so I can only “tuck them in” with overlapping Alpha 6As)

Back wall (behind my listening chair, about 10’ behind): Alpha 6As

I like the Alpha series a lot. Very versatile, as they are a combination of absorber, diffuser, and bass trap: https://www.gikacoustics.com/product-category/alpha-series/