Time to plan diffusers, first post, Help appreiated!

[programmergeek]

I was wondering when would you use 1D vs 2D diffusers, what is better? It seems most people are making the 2D. My acoustics guy said I can benefit from diffusers in this room. I have attached pics of my listening room and where I plan to put them I also plan one in the back left corner where the print is any advice is appreciated.

I will try to post sound checks on the room soon. Thanks again for any guidance on placement, size and style.

[SaSi_SiDi]

A 7.1 sound system actually wants a dead room to operate at it's best - so that you actually listen to direct emission from each speaker. The more reflection and diffusion you have the less impressive the surround audio becomes.

I would do sound checks first and check the room modes. The ceiling tiles may be doing some good work but without measurements that's a guess.

I would think that you first need to address the room modes with bass traps and absorbers at the first reflection points, re-measure and see how things go.

[PaulP]

Originally Posted by SaSi_SiDi

I would think that you first need to address the room modes with bass traps and absorbers at the first reflection points, re-measure and see how things go.

In a 7.1 system there are going to be a lot of first reflection points.

Paul P

[Glenn Kuras]

The ceiling tiles may be doing some good work but without measurements that's a guess.

I would take a look at the tiles to make sure they are not just solid (a lot of them are) If it is rigid fiberglass with a plastic coding you can remove the plastic on the panels in the early reflection points. Also above the tiles I would lay fluffy fiber glass to help with the low end control.

[programmergeek]

Ok I need to fill in some blanks.

This is a HT but I also do allot of 2 ch listening so 2ch is my primary concern with the diffusers. I want to have a big soundstage.

The tiles are caustic absorbing to some point they are not plastic coated fiberglass but more the compressed paper type.

I am going to take care of base trapping the corners with triangular OC703 traps and the post in the middle of the room unless someone has a better idea.

I am in the process of creating small foam panels to capture the fist order reflection.

Also the windows and the opening have curtains that I close to help with absorption.

The last HT I did I had big absorbers in it that I made, and it was to dead. Didn't really do anything for the sound and it was a 7.1 room so I think a lively room may be a bit better, there is a balance.

The last HT I did I had big absorbers in, and it was to dead. Didn't really do anything for the soudn and it was a 7.1 room so I think a lively room may be a bit better, there is a blaance.

[Ethan Winer]

Originally Posted by programmergeek

I want to have a big soundstage.

That requires all reflection points to be well treated with absorption.

The tiles are caustic absorbing to some point they are not plastic coated fiberglass but more the compressed paper type.

That type of tile is meant for speech frequencies in offices and restaurants, and it's not great for audio rooms. It's probably okay for most parts of the room, but you should replace all tiles at the ceiling reflection points with better tiles that absorb fully at mid and high frequencies.

--Ethan

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by Ethan Winer

That type of tile is meant for speech frequencies in offices and restaurants, and it's not great for audio rooms. It's probably okay for most parts of the room, but you should replace all tiles at the ceiling reflection points with better tiles that absorb fully at mid and high frequencies.

--Ethan

Agreed. Even 1" 705 spaced 16" (standard drop ceiling) will do a pretty nice down to 250hz and still working at 125hz

[programmergeek]

Originally Posted by Glenn Kuras

Agreed. Even 1" 705 spaced 16" (standard drop ceiling) will do a pretty nice down to 250hz and still working at 125hz

I was going to do thin acustic foam the egg crate looking stuff with some 705 behind it, coverd with acusticly transparant fabric and in the places where theis not drop celing the same thing build a small sound panel. I figure the highs woudl get sucked in by the foam and mids by the 705.

I was also going to pack the cornors of the room with a bunch of 703 in a frame.

But my original question is what to do with difusion. My acustics guy thinks I should put the diffusers behind the F speakers and that willhelp my soundstage. Again I am only talking 2 ch here, but don't want to kill my 7 ch set up.

Thanks again for all the advice. Will get started on absorbtion.

[Ethan Winer]

Originally Posted by programmergeek

My acustics guy thinks I should put the diffusers behind the F speakers and that willhelp my soundstage.

I've never tried that. The more common place for diffusion is behind your seat, because that rear wall receives direct sound from the loudspeakers. How much direct sound comes out the rear of your speakers toward the front wall?

--Ethan

[Glenn Kuras]

If you had something like electrostatic speakers I would say yes, but it seems you don't so keep them to the back of the room.

[programmergeek]

Ok now I am totally confused.

I need to replan the whole room so

OC 705 Non FRK 1" as celing tiles at fist reflection point. Cover with Gilford of main white fabric. Or is 2"better?

Cornor traps, does someone have a good site for this should they have air behind them? I was thinking of building a triangle packed wit OC 703 all the way to the celing int he F tow cornors and where ever else I can.

Cover the post with OC 703 1" pannels.

Any other sugestions?