Room treatment can be addictive

I started with blankets and pillows, then homemade rockwool and then bought my first GIK panels and the WOW factor kicked in. I sent my room information to Mike and purchased every panel he recommended. I am so happy I made that decision!

Treatment rooms.

l know the logic of removing reflections and bass boom problems but some guys rooms on here must look like flea markets….blankets, pillows and cushions piled high. Also an image for the uninitiated seeing dozens of panels….an exhibition centre or art gallery without illustrations or paintings….worst case scenario….a ward in a hospital.

Just a bit of an observation (presuming you are a guy) as l know this is an important subject, but how do you fit the wife, girlfriend or partner in?

Have you experienced ‘’push back’’ with regard to the last part?

At AXPONA - seminar on room treatments- common mistake is to overdamp.  Each room is unique, so measuring the room helps to indicate problems including differences between left and right speakers so that one can specifically target solutions to address - what frequency range needs to be reduced, and what products would address that specific frequency problem.

After I put up my first configuration of treatments (absorption and diffusion) I would run my RTA with Pink noise and walk around the room. As I heard the sound change, I would point the microphone in various directions to see which frequencies were changing in relation to what I was hearing. When I identified problem areas, I could decide what treatment was needed based on that, and assess the changes. Generally, areas where highs were peaking got more absorption, boomy areas get more diffusion. Sometimes it's some of both. 

Trust your ears. 

An alternative approach would be to apply both or either absorption or diffusion for peaky areas. If it is boomy, that indicates a problem around 100 Hz and below and there are few domestically acceptable diffusers that would accomplish this. At least for most home level diffusers, such as a QRD7 from a well-known manufacturer, the lowest frequency is roughly 350 Hz. Absorption in the form of base traps would perhaps be more effective in dealing with a boomy bass. Speaker and listening position can also dramatically impact the bass and should always be included in the equation.