Question: Sound Treatment behind the Listener?


I have treated the 1st and 2nd reflection points and I have sound panels between my speakers. I also have tube traps in all 4 corners, but I am not sure what (if any) should be done with the wall behind the listener.

That wall presently has a DIY rack system that holds about 5000-6000 cd’s. I believe it helps scatter the sound. But I’m not sure if that is the right approach.

So, what are you guys using on that wall? Diffusion, Absorbtion, Reflection? Anything else?

I would appreciate your thoughts.

ozzy

128x128ozzy

I honestly have no idea.  The Podiums maybe help with vibrations, but I don't think it would help with bass?  But I am not an expert.

If you think the bass sounds good from where you sit, I would just not worry about it.  In the end, do you enjoy listening to your system?  That's all that matters.  

You may not need any (or you may need a lot?) of extra bass absorption.  It really has to do with your room geometry, where the speakers are placed, and where you sit.  The guy from Acoustic Insider always suggested figuring out where the best place to put your speakers and the best place to sit is the first step in "treating" your room and that is free.  

If you are sitting in a null, you won't hear much bass and if you are sitting in a node, the bass may sound too loud or weird, so you'd move your seat up or back to see if that helps.

Your original questions was about if you need to do anything behind your listening position.  The challenge with your CD wall is that it could be very reflective and late reflections from that back wall could cause some issues.  If it sounds good to you right now, again I wouldn't worry.  If you want to experiment, try something behind your listening area that is not super expensive (couch cushions?  Thick blankets?  I don't know....) and, if you feel it helps, then consider purchasing or making something more permanent.   

I have a window behind my seat (about 5 feet behind me) and I have two 4" panels on stands that I just put in front of the windows.  To me, it helped a LOT.  It was probably one of two room treatment things that made me go "yeah, I can tell a difference".  But that was when I had no other treatments up at all.  You already have a room that is treated so your experience may be different.  

Thanks. Good info. I think you are mixing up me and the OP though, just fyi. My rear wall has 4 ASC sound planks on it directly behind my seat (6" apart) and is open on one side to the rest of the house and the other is curretnly (!) drywall. I'm discussing w/ GIK about that now and a few other things. He is suggesting thick bass absorbsion with deflection on the rear wall also. One issue is that I can't go more than 4" since that is also essentialy the wall to the hallway to our bedroom and can't stick out too much.

The good part is my room is very close I think to where I want it - just need to tame some highs.

I do have 4- 20" ASC tube traps in the corners. I also have 7 Stillpoint Aperture 2's.

So, do I really need to absorb the bass frequencies further?

ozzy

 

I have a 48x56" Rockwool sound absorption panel installed into the wall behind my listening chair. Covered by a print of the Grand Tetons taken at 10,000' . 

In another room I was forced to vacate I had a closet the length of the wall behind. I put absorption on back wall of it and removed the doors. That extended the size of the room and the distance behind the listening chair. It was probably the best sounding dedicated room I have used.

Since you are familiar with ASC tube traps, take a look at Art Noxon’s suggestions.

I believe a couple tube traps with silver buttons facing the listener is what he would recommend behind your listening position.