[kiwi_1282001]

I am considering replacing my 1-inch thick 2'x2' ceiling tiles with RealTraps product.  My room is 5 x 3m and I am considering the standard tile (for most bass absorption) around the ceiling edges and perhaps the HF tile for the rest.

Has anyone out there used the RealTraps tile (or similar product) and provide feedback?   Both objective measurements and subjective listening impressions welcome.

Would also be interested on what tile you used where and why.

The ceiling is typically the largest surface area in a listening room and there is surprisingly little discussion on it - except when it is so low you could bump your head 

[dm]

I have several realtrap HF ceiling tiles in my basement hometheater.  Primary to address ceiling first reflection points for my center channel speaker.  The realtrap tiles are very well made and effective.

However far cheaper I stuffed acoustical cotton insulation batts in the joists ABOVE my suspended ceiling tiles.  (http://www.bondedlogic.com/).  It was dusty work but worth it.
For deep bass, the sound goes thru the existing ceiling tiles and hits the insulation which can be very thickly stuffed in between the joists for maximum effect.  I then replaced the corner ceiling tiles with wooden square (picture like) frames and over the frames I stretched speaker (acoustically transparent) cloth.  This allows some of the mid bass frequencies that might be reflected by the normal ceiling tiles to be passed up into the joists for absorption by the insulation between the joists.  Doing the corners is useful because the bass modes tend to naturally collect in the corners.

I recommend that you first treat the area in between the joists above and then if you need further work you look into the ceiling tiles.

One last thing, keep in mind that your room will have several bass modes that are caused by width, length and ceiling/floor modes.  Treating the ceiling only effects the bass modes that are driven by the ceiling.  You will still need to look into walls and corners for full treatment.

By the way, what is on the main level of your home above your hometheater?  I installed new hardwood floors in the living room above my basement hometheater.  I used that as an opportunity to lay down a second plywood subfloor with greenglue between the layers.  This was to provide better sound isolation but had a very nice bass trap effect.

read about it here:
http://www.avsforum.com/t/1136101/my-bass-story-ii

[kiwi_1282001]

I have several realtrap HF ceiling tiles in my basement hometheater.  Primary to address ceiling first reflection points for my center channel speaker.  The realtrap tiles are very well made and effective.

Thanks for the detailed reply.

I wonder if the lack of replies reflects on the popularity of the Real Traps product?

Yes, like you I have insulation above the ceiling tiles.  If you click on the globe under my name it will take you to a site which outlines the progress of the room to date.   The photo in this thread is out of date and simply served to show the existing tiles

[wilsynet]

I don't have ceiling tiles for which to replace with RealTraps ceiling tiles.  I think a lot of people are in the same boat, hence not a lot of replies.

[srlaudio]

The cotton batts in the joists is a great idea, and the Realtraps look like a great option for absorption.  Mix in some diffusion panels to balance it out... the great thing is you can experiment with placement.  I have found that directly over the listening position is a good starting point.

[WireNut]

 Hmm, sounds like a good idea. I don't have a suspended ceiling anymore but those would have probably worked great.
Here's a link for 2x4x2" thick owen's corning 703 fiberglass boards that I ran across recently.
They might come in handy sometime and not to expensive.

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aowens%20corning%20703