Difference b/w RPG Skyline and GIK QRD diffusors

RPG Skyline diffuse in two directions, so you get a hemispheric soundfield around one of these, as opposed to the vertical OR horizontal diffusion, whereby you get a hemicilyndrical soundfield.

As Elizabeth mentioned, the math is publicly available, and you could make this yourself, maybe using wood of a square section close to the RPG section, and cut it to the required lenght. Is not difficult, but it will be time consuming as you'll need a lot of pieces. For the math you can check out the Master Handbook of Acoustics by Alton Everest (I've seen links online to the pdf version, but I do have the book), which is highly recommendable reading anyway if you are getting into acoustics.

Horacio

I would recommend RPG above the listener (in a low ceiling) and on rear wall behind the listener. I would not recommend RPG on the front wall between the speakers unless you are using Bose or other rearward radiating speakers.

Frankly the majority of frequencies radiating backwards from conventional speakers are the LF - below about 300 Hz and some up to perhaps 600 HZ. So absorption panels or bass traps are most likely the best option there.

An RPG on the front wall may look good and many listeners will be more impressed when they can see and are looking at the RPG skyline but honestly it will be more effective nearer the listener or on the back wall behind the listener where parasitic reflections can muck up your imaging and collapse the sound stage.

Two cents...

Of course, you can easily go overboard with RPG as Elizabeth points out. This studio used TONS of wood and not even ONE piece of wood is the same length.

Thanks,
I know about the DIY RPG project, but can't really picture myself going through the tedious process of cutting 156 pieces of wood for each panel,and then gluing them to the board, and I need four of them.
Lewinskih01, thanks a lot for your explanation, very helpful.
I suspected it to be similar. Here is the question: since the listening position is at the fixed height, the limited vertical dispersion of the QRD panel should not be that critical. I wonder, what I would actually hear with QRD panels vs. Skylines???
Shadorne,
I understand your point, but I'm not an author of this design, Rives Audio is, and since I decided to use them, I would like to follow their design to a letter. I doubt, I know more about room acoustics, then Rives does.

Maril,

I fully understand your point and if I were in your shoes I would probably do the same. Can you ask Rives what the difference would be?

Nevertheless I agree with Shadorne. To me that's an unusual spot for QRD diffusion and Shadorne is telling you how these are usually implemented, including the recommendations in Everest's and in Toole's books.

Come to think about it, maybe you can do us a favor and ask Rives why they chose QRD in that spot and post what they answer. Rives knows their stuff and maybe we learn something.

BTW: good move contracting Rives. Which level did you select? I'd be interested in the results.