[jmck407]

Hello,

Just bought a group of acoustic panels from a local guy who has to relocate because of work.  He had 1 set of GIK tri-traps, four 24x48x4 ATS panels, six 24x48x2 ATS panels, and two 24x24x2 ATS panels.  Purchased all of them.  Trying to figure out the best way to use what I have, in my room, and maybe some ideas for future treatments.  The room is used for HT and 2 channel listening....mostly want the treatments to improve 2 channel,  any improvements in HT are an added bonus .  Will describe my room and insert some pretty awful pictures I took of different room angles for a better perspective of the description.

The mains are av123 mini-stratas, these will eventually be replaced with av123's LS9 line source.  The room dimensions are 16ft wide, 19.5 ft long, and ceilings that are 10ft high that vault to about 15 ft between the mains and the listening positions https://cid-2f89f19edfb31f29.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Theater/P1010019.JPG.  The left side (when seated in the recliners) between the mains and the listening position is almost entirely a set of french doors that I usually keep open https://cid-2f89f19edfb31f29.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Theater/LeftFrdoors1.jpg, the right side between the listening position and the mains is a group of windows https://cid-2f89f19edfb31f29.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Theater/rightwindow.jpg. 

I am pretty confused about how best to use the current panels, and what, if any additional I should buy.  Have done some experimenting, just put the panels standing against the walls and in windows...nothing permanent...and things already sound much different. 

First thing was to put the tri-traps in the two corners on the wall of the screen, and then one of the 24x48x4 panels behind each of the mains against the wall below the screen https://cid-2f89f19edfb31f29.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Theater/frontwall1.jpg.  I am pretty sure this is good start, but what to do with the rest???  Put the remaining two 24x48x4's below the screen https://cid-2f89f19edfb31f29.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Theater/frontwall2.jpg, or hang them diagonal one each in the remaining two corners behind the listening position....one above the svs sub https://cid-2f89f19edfb31f29.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Theater/leftbackcorner.jpg, the other above a movie storage case https://cid-2f89f19edfb31f29.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Theater/rightbackcorner.jpg.   I put two of the 24x48x2 panels behind the curtain of the big window, see the earlier image.  Is this a good use for them, or not so good since the windows are covered with curtains?

I ran a C program a user at avsforum created a few yrs ago that simulates thousands of reflection points when dimensions for the room, speakers, and listening position are input.  It shows reflections just in front of the recliners on the right side (when seated) that looks like they may be concentrated where I have a big window https://cid-2f89f19edfb31f29.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Theater/rightwindow.jpg,  and on the left side concentrated where the french doors are open(or maybe the location of the glass doors when open, see above image).   A second group of reflections concentrate just behind the recliners on the left https://cid-2f89f19edfb31f29.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Theater/behindleftwall.jpg and right https://cid-2f89f19edfb31f29.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Theater/behindrightwall.jpg walls.  The last two concentrated reflection groups are on the ceiling and the floor, in front of the recliners.    Not sure how accurate the program is (or more like my understanding of it), but at least it is a starting point.  Finally two pictures of the rear part of the room, the wall left side https://cid-2f89f19edfb31f29.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Theater/backwallleft.jpg and right https://cid-2f89f19edfb31f29.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Theater/backwallright.jpg

Any advice on best locations for panels, or what I should think about doing to make things "better", is really appreciated.

Thanks,

John

[bpape]

Hi John.

I looked at a few of the pics. 

Tri Traps in the front corners.  Another pair would help.

If the 4" ATS panels have backs on them, remove them.  Mount them hanging face down to cover the peak of the ceiling.

The 2" panels will be fine behind the mains for boundary issues and on the side walls for reflection control.  Likely have to use a stand or 2 due to the windows.  You can use the others when you prefer to have the doors closed - which you may when you get the LS9's.

The 2x2's - not sure quite honestly.  Maybe up high on the front wall to minimize some slap echo up there.

Bryan

[jmck407]

Thanks for the reply Bryan.  I figured another set of tri-traps might be my next treatment purchase.  Sinnce they are made in 4ft heights, was wondering what to do (if anything) with the remaining 2ft left in each front corner after stacking them.

Would just two 2" panels, behind the mains be o.k?  Also, to be sure I understand,  are you saying the best use of the two 4" panels behind the mains (replaced with 2" panels)  is to cover the highest point in the ceiling vault, and the other 4" panels should get mounted in the rear corners they are located in the pictures?  All of them have a wood backing to them, guess the reason for removing it is to make it lighter when mounting on the ceiling; right?

Thanks again,

John

[bpape]

You can use 2 of the 4" panels in the rear corners if you want.  If the room is long enough, I'd like to see all 4 straddling the ceiling peak.

The reason for removing the backing (which never should have been there - don't know why they insist on doing that) is to take advantage of the larger space behind the absorption when straddling a corner.  That will add considerable extension to their capabilities. 

For the front, just 2 stacked Tri Traps will be sufficient. 

Bryan

[jmck407]

o.k. that helps.  I would not have thought the ceiling was a high priority item, but that is why I am asking for advice.  Don't really have a preference where the panels go (e.g.  using 2 of the 4" panels the back corners), just want to locate them in the best locations to maximize the 2 channel sound improvements.  With respect to the windows, would standing the panels in the windows, behind the curtains work?

Will have to see if I can get a feasible way of reaching the peak of the ceiling.  The tallest ladder I have has me  a few feet too short to comfortably reach.   If I can get up there, is it best to mount them with the length side (48") running parallel to the ceiling peak, probably covering almost the entire length of  the peak (not much space between peak and panel), or mounting them with the length side perpendicular to the peak in sets of two on either side of the mid point.  Putting them perpendicular to the peak should give more space between the panel and the ceiling, but will leave some of the peak open.

Also, if I can't get a ladder to reach the ceiling peak, what would you suggest I do with the 4" panels?  As to room size being large enough, the seats are about 11-12 ft from the mains, and between 5-6ft from the rear wall.  The mains are about 42" from the front wall, and 36" from the sides.


John