[kingdeezie]

I hadn't noticed this area of audiocircle before.

I am in need of some help from people who have a better handle then me with room acoustics.

I have some pretty decent equipment, nothing spectacular; but at least capable of giving me more then I am getting now.

Here is a picture of my room...



So, here is my problem. The speakers, as you might be able to tell from the picture, and way to cloose to the side walls.

Less then a foot.

It is causing me a lot of issues.

One suggestion I continously get, if to purchase an acoustically transparent screen.

At this moment, that is not a viable option. Large, AT screens that are premade seem to cost several thousand dollars. Spending this right now would have me in divorce court.

I need to know if its possible to clean this up at all with acoustic treatments; and, if so, what is the most efficient way to tackle this issue.

I feel like I am getting midrange smearing. Vocals aren't as clear or forward as I would have expected them to be. Highs vary per recording, and bass is pretty solid. 

As of right now, I have six acoustic panels, three on each side floor-mid wall.

I know I need more, but due to budget issues at this time, I need to make smart decisions to try and correct the issues.

I would love to be able to purchase 8 tri traps, and a dozen panels, but at this moment its not possible. Nor, do I know if panels is the ansewer.

If anyone could offer help, I would greatly appreciate it.

[Ethan Winer]

I need to know if its possible to clean this up at all with acoustic treatments; and, if so, what is the most efficient way to tackle this issue.

It's not only possible, but easy. Adding corner bass traps and absorption at the reflection points will make the difference between terrible and outstanding. No kidding. It will also minimize problems caused by speaker placements that are less than ideal.

--Ethan

[kingdeezie]

So, being more specific, what should my next step be??

I have three panels on each side at reflection points, is this simple not enough?

Should I invest next in reflection panels??

Bass traps?

I'm not sure what my next step should.

[orthobiz]

What kind of speakers are those? I thought my Dahlquists were BIG!!!!!

Paul

[kingdeezie]

They are GR Research/AV123 Line Sources, and they are killing my room 

[MaxCast]

What size are you acoustic panels and what are they made of?

[bpape]

Knowing more about what you have for panels would be help as well as where you have them.  I'd recommend the first one at least be 4" thick and be basically right beside the speakers to deal with SBIR issues. 

Additional bass control will be required in the room to deal with decay time issues. If the back of the room is available, that would be a good place.  The front looks like it's pretty well out due to the screen being so close to the side walls.   You could also do some up front along the wall/floor junction.

Bryan

[Bob in St. Louis]

Toeing the speakings in so they cross a foot or two in front of your nose is the cheapest thing I would try.
Having them pushing sound waves right down along the walls can't be having any positive effects (in my humble opinion).


Bob

[kingdeezie]

Knowing more about what you have for panels would be help as well as where you have them.  I'd recommend the first one at least be 4" thick and be basically right beside the speakers to deal with SBIR issues. 

Additional bass control will be required in the room to deal with decay time issues. If the back of the room is available, that would be a good place.  The front looks like it's pretty well out due to the screen being so close to the side walls.   You could also do some up front along the wall/floor junction.

Bryan

As of right now, all I have is some 2 inch ATS acoustic panels someone bought me for my birthday last year.

They are all on the floor right now.

They extend from there straight up to half way up the wall.

I have three on each side of the room.

The first is right next to the speaker with the second and third coming toward the listener shoulder to shoulder.

I am sure I need some sort of bass control, but the speakers have a daughter crossover in the back that lets you attenuate the bass. I have them on the medium setting and that seems to have helped a lot, and the bass is livable at this point in time.

Unless of course, part of the midrange and vocals issues I am having is related to lack of bass control as well.

So, do I buy six more panels to extend floor to ceiling on both sides, or do I invest in some bass/tri traps??

[Ethan Winer]

Bass traps?
I'm not sure what my next step should.

Yes, the next step is bass traps in as many corners as you can manage. And possibly more on the rear wall behind you too. The photo below shows the front of my living room, though you probably don't need that many panels to make a big improvement!

--Ethan

[bpape]

Knowing more about what you have for panels would be help as well as where you have them.  I'd recommend the first one at least be 4" thick and be basically right beside the speakers to deal with SBIR issues. 

Additional bass control will be required in the room to deal with decay time issues. If the back of the room is available, that would be a good place.  The front looks like it's pretty well out due to the screen being so close to the side walls.   You could also do some up front along the wall/floor junction.

Bryan

As of right now, all I have is some 2 inch ATS acoustic panels someone bought me for my birthday last year.

They are all on the floor right now.

They extend from there straight up to half way up the wall.

I have three on each side of the room.

The first is right next to the speaker with the second and third coming toward the listener shoulder to shoulder.

I am sure I need some sort of bass control, but the speakers have a daughter crossover in the back that lets you attenuate the bass. I have them on the medium setting and that seems to have helped a lot, and the bass is livable at this point in time.

Unless of course, part of the midrange and vocals issues I am having is related to lack of bass control as well.

So, do I buy six more panels to extend floor to ceiling on both sides, or do I invest in some bass/tri traps??

Turning the bass control down on the xover doesn't fix boundary interactions.  I'd get some 4" panels floor to ceiling for right next to the speakers.  For the others, the 2x4x2" should be fine but I'd get them up a couple feet off the floor.

Bryan

[kingdeezie]

Would there be any added benefit to something like 4 Monster Bass traps as opposed to 4 244s next to the speaker?

Is the real issue here the bass that's causing the vocal and midrange problems?

[oneinthepipe]

but I'd get them up a couple feet off the floor.

Bryan

Bryan:

The 4' tall panels behind my speakers and on the side wall reflection points are on the floor.  I assume that I should raise them (either hang them from the ceiling by wire as before or build some type of stand), based upon your comment to the OP, but what is the benefit from being raised?  Also, is the optimal height related to driver height or listening height or something else?

As always, thank you for your helpful comments.