Second thought about bass trap in my room!

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michaelv

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Second thought about bass trap in my room!
« on: 30 Jan 2007, 07:27 pm »
Hi,
 I have been treating my room here and there . Until now, i rethink that whether i should remove the traps behind the speakers since the speaker is about 1.5 feet from the wall. I don't know if the traps (4" thick ) actuall kill the bass ? Instead, i increase the trap size to 6" or even 8" thick behind the listening chair?  Any idea or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

My room can be seen in audiogon.com
http://cgim.audiogon.com/i/vs/s/f/1159631504.jpg

thanks.

Ethan Winer

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Re: Second thought about bass trap in my room!
« Reply #1 on: 31 Jan 2007, 05:44 pm »
Michael,

> I don't know if the traps (4" thick ) actuall kill the bass ? <

No, bass traps always flatten the response. Peaks are reduced, which is what you want, and nulls are raised, which you also want.

--Ethan

michaelv

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Re: Second thought about bass trap in my room!
« Reply #2 on: 31 Jan 2007, 06:11 pm »
Ethan, thanks.
Last night, i tried to remove the traps behind speakers. The bass was actually worst than I thought. So i put them back. Based on the picture of my room, should i just add 2" or4" more or just stack it on top of the current one. I prefer the way it is now, but if i have to i'll find the way.

Also, next summer, i will move the system to another room which is 14"x26". I hope this new room (has tile floor) will be better with thick rug area on floor. This new room has two large French doors which will be removed too to  reduce the first reflection since it leads to open space. So only one panel on the opposite wall.


Glenn K

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Re: Second thought about bass trap in my room!
« Reply #3 on: 31 Jan 2007, 07:04 pm »
You can either place on top of the one you have now, so it runs floor to ceiling or just lay 2 down horizontally across the front wall along the floor/wall corner. Better yet DO BOTH!!! :green:

Glenn

michaelv

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Re: Second thought about bass trap in my room!
« Reply #4 on: 1 Feb 2007, 07:42 pm »
thanks, Glenn.

i couldn't figure out the best way to put another panel on the top of the one i have right now unless i have to reframe both of them.. So, your second suggestion is another great idea. Do you mean that (based on the picture) i can place it along the horizontal wall (wall and floor) behind the speaker?

By the way, i will move the first reflection point panel out of the wall (about 1") to trap a little bass. I think every little thing counts..

thanks.

bpape

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Re: Second thought about bass trap in my room!
« Reply #5 on: 1 Feb 2007, 08:37 pm »
Exactly.  The horizontal corners are just as useful - especially those at the ends of the length dimension since those are generall the deepest modes.  Also, being behind the speaker and at the end of the height dimension gives some additional control in the heigh (that is normally missed as most things are on the walls) and will assist some with boundary interference response.

Bryan

michaelv

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Re: Second thought about bass trap in my room!
« Reply #6 on: 1 Feb 2007, 09:02 pm »
Great, thanks. I'll try. 

Looks like my small room (12'x14') is full of bass traps that i can't even have more space to move around..:), but music is the first top priority ... I realize now how bad the small squarish room is...

thanks for all great suggestions.

Befuddled

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Re: Second thought about bass trap in my room!
« Reply #7 on: 1 Feb 2007, 09:20 pm »
Micheal -
My room is 11 x 11. I have several Real Traps that I use in corners like yours. Last night on a whim, and remembering something I thought happened while carrying them, I put a wood box about 6 inches high to lift them off the floor, It was about 6" wide so it didn't block sound. I swear the Trap was at least 50% better. I was hearing notes I had never been able to distinguish. Time to get off my rear and mount them higher in corners as suggested.. Worth a try.
Joel

michaelv

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Re: Second thought about bass trap in my room!
« Reply #8 on: 2 Feb 2007, 11:18 pm »
Thanks, Befuddled.  I will certainly try it over the weekend [need to find something raise it up...probaly some soup cans :) )

I tried 2 panels (4 " each) on the floor behind my listening position last night. The low freq at this position is now much improved (less boomy). Interestingly, the sidewall used to be boomy too, now it is a bit better as well even though i don't place anything there.

Looks like I'm gonna be busy in the weekend to try out different placements..If it works out, diy more panels is my next project...

thanks.

michaelv

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Re: Second thought about bass trap in my room!
« Reply #9 on: 3 Feb 2007, 05:11 am »
Updated!

I have just tried to raise all panels off the floor about 5" by using some plastic containers. Wow...the bass is much better.   Now, i have to get back to listening....:)


Ethan Winer

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Re: Second thought about bass trap in my room!
« Reply #10 on: 3 Feb 2007, 05:11 pm »
Joel,

> I have several Real Traps that I use in corners ... I put a wood box about 6 inches high to lift them off the floor ... I swear the Trap was at least 50% better. <

Yes, and I recommend this often to people when they don't want to mount them permanently across a corner. The best type of "lift" is a milk crate because it's open. Second best is a cardboard box.

--Ethan

mfsoa

Re: Second thought about bass trap in my room!
« Reply #11 on: 3 Feb 2007, 05:59 pm »
Michaelv,
As far as raising the trap off the ground, maybe you are experiencing what I was talking about here:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=35612.0

I have 16" high metal speaker stands just waiting for some rectangular corner traps.

nodiak

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Re: Second thought about bass trap in my room!
« Reply #12 on: 4 Feb 2007, 01:18 am »
This is interesting. Leaving parts of the corner untreated/exposed, even a tri corner. I have full length corner absorption and will try shorter ones.

bpape

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Re: Second thought about bass trap in my room!
« Reply #13 on: 4 Feb 2007, 01:25 am »
I don't think it's a matter of uncovering the corner as much as it is getting more absorbtion up higher in the room when you only have a 4' section in an 8' corner.  4' is pretty close to seated ear level.  Getting a bit more up higher will help cover reflections and focusing from the corner that isn't coming from waves running perfectly parallel to the floor.

Bryan

michaelv

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Re: Second thought about bass trap in my room!
« Reply #14 on: 5 Feb 2007, 09:42 pm »
Michaelv,
As far as raising the trap off the ground, maybe you are experiencing what I was talking about here:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=35612.0

I have 16" high metal speaker stands just waiting for some rectangular corner traps.


Thanks.
It's similar but not exactly the same. I will try various locations to see any different.

I posted another question here a while ago http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=28469.0
) that i feel less or not clean bass at my listening position. Even though, the bass now is better ,but still lacking something. Whenever, i move to the sidewall (near the rear wall), I can hear the bass loud and strong!

May be this is not what i think , but it's actually boomy bass and too much null at my listening position.  I don't have sub , only two channel stereo.

But i can hear the different when raising the trap a bit higher. I'll find something tonight to raise it up half way between the floor and ceiling to see what happens. Thanks Bpape for the suggestion.