[brooklyn]

Room treatments are one of those topics that goes right over my head. I have a dedicated music room 12X15x8 with a pair of Magneplaner MMG's, I read about both absorption and defused treatments on the front wall (12 foot) behind the maggies. Which is better? On the opposite wall behind me is a large book shelf that takes up most of that wall.. Audio system is in the middle of the side wall and a wall to wall rug.

I sit about 4 foot into the room and the pans about 3 feet from the front wall. I'm about 8 feet away from the speakers with a slight tow in. I'm relatively near field.

Any advise would be appreciated..

[ajzepp]

I found that Maggies don't like a lot of absorption. I had a room full of about 24 GIK pieces for my DeVore Fidelity Super 8s and it sounded amazing. The GIK panels took those speakers to an entirely new level, and when I took them down it was absolutely shocking. When I moved into my new apartment I put up about half of the pieces with my 3.6s, but it never did sound quite right. I gradually eliminated piece by piece until now I really don't have anything up except for FRPs on both sides, and I'm not even sure I need that. I think once I decide if I'm settled in here for the long haul, I want to go for some GIK diffusors. But I'd be very careful with using too much absorption with Maggies.

[Rclark]

Now... that is interesting.

[ajzepp]

Now... that is interesting.

Did you find the opposite to be true? I don't know if it's just the room or what, but when I took down most of my panels all of a sudden the 3.6s really came to life.

[bpape]

Maggies are certainly a little different since the load the room in different ways than a typical box type speaker.  The room can still benefit from some absorption, though not in many of the typical places you'd think.  Diffusion can absolutely be wonderful with Maggies.  We still need to address the rear wave to minimize any comb filtering and diffusion can be the perfect option in this position.

Bryan

[boynamedsue]

IME, absorption directly behind my 3.6's deadened the sound, but having them on my front and side walls helped tighten up the focus and reduced the fatiguing treble energy/glare in my live room. Diffusers behind the maggies work great - increased soundstage and greater sense of air. All my room treatments are from GIK, and Bryan was very helpful in setting up my room.

[Rclark]

Did you find the opposite to be true? I don't know if it's just the room or what, but when I took down most of my panels all of a sudden the 3.6s really came to life.

 No, it's that I think I agree, prematurely perhaps. I have some makeshift absorbtion behind the panels on the walls (doubled up, pleated heavy blankets). The sound I get now is so precise and so good already, there's no overhang of notes or anything, it's all fast fast fast, can't imagine it any faster. The music just appears from nowhere and the seperation is phenomenal, I can't even imagine better seperation. So I think like you that these will require minimal treatment. I think after I get the new amps, and can measure and build whatever I need (diffusers, etc), the Magnestands may well be the only speaker I ever need as far as my music stereo. They're just so freaking good.

 I found your comment interesting because it will be an added bonus if measurements prove I, we don't need much treatment compared to your typical box.

[brooklyn]

IME, absorption directly behind my 3.6's deadened the sound, but having them on my front and side walls helped tighten up the focus and reduced the fatiguing treble energy/glare in my live room. Diffusers behind the maggies work great - increased soundstage and greater sense of air. All my room treatments are from GIK, and Bryan was very helpful in setting up my room.

This is what I thought but I'm glad you agree. I can't imagine absorption behind the speakers helping. That would defeat the purpose of the Maggies..

Also, What is GIK??............ Never mind, I just found it..

[brooklyn]

We still need to address the rear wave to minimize any comb filtering and diffusion can be the perfect option in this position.

I'm not sure what that means.

[bpape]

The rear wave of the Maggies bounces off the wall behind them and some of that energy cancels the next set of rear waves causing frequency response issues. If we diffuse it, the waves are scattered more evenly side to side and much less cancellation occurs.

Bryan

[brooklyn]

Okay, I got it..