Where to place rear diffusers (RealTraps)

[clank72]

I have a smaller room 10 x 13. Home Recording studio. I will be facing the 13' wall and have about 6 feet behind me.

I'm interested in the RealTraps Diffuser. I'm on a budget and wondering if I could get away with just having one panel behind me positioned horizontal, instead of vertical to cover a bit wider area.

I guess my question is, how much diffusion area behind me do I need to cover and are they placed directly behind my ears?

Thanks
Clank

[Ethan Winer]

One diffusor is probably not enough to be worthwhile. Unless your intent is to eventually have at least two or more in the future. Our diffusors work best vertically. We considered making a "sideways" model, but two feet high is too short anyway. So my minimum recommendation for any small room is at least two vertical, side by side adjacent.

--Ethan

[Glenn Kuras]

Actually in a room that size diffusion will help but I would also get some 6" absorption back there. You have some mean low end nulls and peaks coming from that area that really need to be dealt with.

[clank72]

I made an error. My room is 13 x 12 with 10 foot ceiling.


Thank you Glen and Ethan!

Perhaps maybe I should replace the diffusers with traps? So far my foam treatment is 4" thick and the first reflection points will have bass traps 5.5" thick with 1" wood back. Diffusion will cost me $1000, I can make my own traps for $28 each. So if you are suggesting absorption over diffusion for the back wall, it would also be cost efficient as well.

[Ethan Winer]

Originally Posted by clank72

if you are suggesting absorption over diffusion for the back wall, it would also be cost efficient as well.

You could go either way. If your budget is tight, absorption does a fine job. Diffusion is more like icing on the cake. But again, you'd need at least two diffusors for that rear wall, if not four.

--Ethan