[mdfoy]

I have numerous gallery wrapped paintings in my living room, and was wondering if an acoustic absorption material could be placed behind the paintings and be effective. The paintings are 24" X 36" and can be placed in "strategic" areas if needed.

[bpape]

They would provide some upper bass and midrange absorbtion but would be too reflective for upper mid and HF reflection point duties.

Bryan

[mdfoy]

bpape,

Thank you for the the response. Could you explain this to me like I was 4 years old?  If a acoustic panel is used to absorb bass, and lowers mids, how could it be reflective of upper mids, and highs at the same time?

[Mike Dzurko]

bpape,

Thank you for the the response. Could you explain this to me like I was 4 years old?  If a acoustic panel is used to absorb bass, and lowers mids, how could it be reflective of upper mids, and highs at the same time?

As frequency goes down, the length of the wave, and it's ability to penetrate goes up. So the longer wavelengths of the lower frequencies will go through the material while the shorter wavelengths of the higher frequencies will reflect back.

[bpape]

Thanks Mike - missed this one.

The cloth on the front of the painting is not very porous so the small/weak higher frequency waves simply bounce off.  Some of the mids get through, some bounce off.  The canvas itself will actually vibrate like a membrane and cause a hump in absorbtion at some given frequency based on it's tension, mass, and the density/give of the absorbtion behind it - as well as if it's damped or not by the absorbtion behind.

Bass waves will go right through it like it's not even there.  Bass goes through floors and walls - canvas isn't going to stop it.

Bryan

[mdfoy]

Thank you all for your informative responses.  I will definitely look deeper into the room tuning thing.