Auralex Expanders vs SE Reflexion Filter

[passionmax]

Does anyone own the Auralex Expanders. How does this compare to the SE relexion filter. IT is a lot cheaper and looks like it does almost the same thing. I need to cut down on the room noise.
thanks

[Ethan Winer]

Originally Posted by passionmax

Does anyone own the Auralex Expanders. How does this compare to the SE relexion filter. IT is a lot cheaper and looks like it does almost the same thing. I need to cut down on the room noise.
thanks

Neither is a substitute for a properly treated room. Even a couple of 2 by 4 foot acoustic panels on the walls adjacent in one corner, that you sing into, will do a much better job than either of those.

--Ethan

[chrisp2u]

Originally Posted by Ethan Winer

Neither is a substitute for a properly treated room. Even a couple of 2 by 4 foot acoustic panels on the walls adjacent in one corner, that you sing into, will do a much better job than either of those.

--Ethan

Of course it's not always possible to have a properly treated room, or to afix panels to a wall

I've been doing some recording in some random and usually less than ideal environments... so stuff easily transportable like the reflexion and possibly the xpanders are definitely a welcome help.

I picked up a RF a couple weeks ago and haven't messed with it too much yet... and also just ordered the Xpanders. I can't imagine that the Xpanders would be as effectiive as the RF, but who knows. I picked them up mainly to help cut down reflections in the aforementioned circumstances. I would think the portable flexibility of either, even in conjunction with a properly treated room would offer some different sonic options/possibilities.
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c

[warhead]

I've not tested the two side by side, but can tell you they are two entirely different things really. The construction, materials used, thickness of the baffles etc tells me that the Reflexion is almost certainly going to do a better job stopping a broader span of the frequency range by comparison.

War

[Ethan Winer]

Chris,

> Of course it's not always possible to have a properly treated room, or to afix panels to a wall <

Of course. So get something like the photo below.

--Ethan

[chrisp2u]

Originally Posted by Ethan Winer

Chris,

> Of course it's not always possible to have a properly treated room, or to afix panels to a wall <

Of course. So get something like the photo below.

--Ethan

it's a giant reflexion filter!

i'd have to get a bigger car with that setup
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c

[homestudioguy]

The primary difference here is that the sE Reflexion Filter (RF) is a tad bit more portable and the fact that the RF was designed to reflect sound waves across the entire frequency spectrum especially in the low frequencies where acoustical foam material generally doesnt have that affect.
Bob Reardon (sE/Sonic-Distribution U.S.) shared with me (please note my affiliation below, please!!! ) that in amongst the 7 layers that make up the RF is a layer of aluminum foil that acts as a type of limp-mass material for stopping sound transmission (similar in concept, I guess, to the Auralex limp-mass vinyl used for construction). He also shared that it took sE some substantial time, trial and error and a number of prototypes to finally get this thing right. For instance, the black material pads that face the inside of the RF were initially set up to be one piece of material padding following the exact inner curve of the RF. However, they tried the concept in the current state and found that it did a better job as opposed to using the solid piece.
FYI, I spoke with James Young of sE/Sonic Distribution in England 2 weeks ago (on the phone!!! ) and he shared that they are now working on a Reflexion Filter primarily geared towards instruments and that it may well have a lower price tag than the current RF.
In tandem with what Ethan has stated above, in whatever capacity it is done, having blankets or acoustical materials behind the vocalist when using the RF can be a beneficial addition as has been shared in a number of the formal magazine reviews.