Skyline type diffuser built from stacks of Acoustic Tile?

[Jesse Eastman]

I'm wondering if its feasible to build a skyline style diffuser out of stacks of 12" x 12" acoustic ceiling tile. Maybe six panels by three panels?

It wouldn't quite fit the "Acoustic Calculator" dimensions for something that large, but it seems like it would diffuse somewhat, or at least, work as a high frequency absorber. Any thoughts?

[Ca$h Marty]

Interesting theory, I have some of those lying around too. They seem like they could be an effective way of creating some more complex surfaces. I wonder what the wisdom of GS will think........

[Ethan Winer]

Originally Posted by Jesse Eastman

I'm wondering if its feasible to build a skyline style diffuser out of stacks of 12" x 12" acoustic ceiling tile.

No, you need material that reflects, not ceiling tiles that absorb.

--Ethan

[Jesse Eastman]

Then would there be any advantage in having an absorber with wells of varying depth, as opposed to a flat surface? Also, would painting the tiles make them less absorbent (seem to remember reading that somewhere)?

[Ethan Winer]

No, and Yes. But you'll need a lot of paint, and even still it won't be great.

--Ethan

[mobius.media]

why can't it do both? it will absorb a certain % and diffuse a certain % as well.

[andrebrito]

Because tiles absorb mainly high frequencies and the Skylike diffracts high frequencies... so you need to choose what you want.

[Jesse Eastman]

That makes sense now. Thank you everyone for your replies.

[SaSi_SiDi]

There is also another issue building a skyline of sorts using such large tiles. Since the column width is in the range of 12" and the max length won't be easy to exceed a similar figure, what you will end-up with would be a highly tuned diffuser in the 400Hz range and a bandwidth of a few Herz or so.