[Big Red Machine]

I have several larger versions of these floorstanding bass traps already in the 2 channel room.  I can't say as if I really need any mre trapping but I'm certainly gonna find out vry soon.  Main thing is I needed a project to do and this was good meditation for me as well.

The first units I made I used clear pine and probably spent nearly $200 in 1x8's.  This time I tried regualr pine 1x8's and the total was about $35.  Big difference in quality though ad even with all the puttying I did, they could hae used more passes.

One box of 2" OC 703 was enough to mke 4 traps 6" thick.  With 1x8's you end up with 1.25" left over which I fill in with Foam-by-mail decorative, pseudo-acoustic foam to give it a metro look.



I used 1/8" hardboard strips in  rabbit along the back edges to retain the 703 when you push it and the burlap into place.

[Big Red Machine]

I routed the edges all around after mitering them together.  I used a finishing nailer and glue to make the "boxes".



I goobered one and voted that one to be the horizontal trap behind my chair where the boo boo is less likely to be seen!

[Big Red Machine]

I selected to make these floorstanders versus adding upper pieces to my existing bass traps because it allows me to "tune" the room by moving them around.  I have some real corner foam traps in place anyways behind the mobile versions (they run floor to ceiling).



You can cut 703 or 705 Owens Corning on a table saw with no binding whatsover.  Cuts like glass - he he, cuz it is!

This is all the depth left on my tablesaw with this 2" material.

[Big Red Machine]

How do you cover the backof the 703?  I use black burlap, wrap it around the fist piece of 703 which is 1/8" larger than the opening all around, and push it in nice and tight.



The add 2 more pieces:

[Big Red Machine]

Wha to cover the front withso it looks like somethig other than a burlap-covered geometric blah?  I use Foam-by-mail pieces that are sold as acoustic pieces but are not the same materials or cell structure as "real" acoustical panels - so you have been warned!

Oops!  They come a little long.  I bought a $10 electric carving knife from Wally world and cut all my foams with it.  It's never touched meat!



Here's the verticals finished:

[Big Red Machine]

Here's the horizontal with a little leg to keep it at a 45 degree angle:



So for $90 of 703, about $40 of lumber, some paint, $97 for the Foam-by-mail pieces (8 pieces for that amount, only used 4 for these) and $6 of burlap we have 4 metro-looking bass traps.

[Rob Babcock]

Very neat looking!   I'll be anxious to find out how they work.

[KCI-JohnP]

Wow, nice job! Have you given them a listen yet?

[richidoo]

Nice job! With the rounded edges and that paint makes them almost look like wrapped in leather. Great look! They will go great in your room, which also looks awesome, nice gallery pics.  aa

[Big Red Machine]

Wow, nice job! Have you given them a listen yet?

Finally.  I very unscientifically placed 2 of them between the speakers and the rack at 45 degre angles, another along the side wall right next to the right speaker which is closer to the wall than the left speaker, and the last on is horizontal behind my seat.  Instruments seemed to snap right into place and widened my soundstage as well.  I m getting very close to nirvana because the toe-tapping is on the increase with every session and fine tune.

[zybar]

Wow, nice job! Have you given them a listen yet?

Finally.  I very unscientifically placed 2 of them between the speakers and the rack at 45 degre angles, another along the side wall right next to the right speaker which is closer to the wall than the left speaker, and the last on is horizontal behind my seat.  Instruments seemed to snap right into place and widened my soundstage as well.  I m getting very close to nirvana because the toe-tapping is on the increase with every session and fine tune.

Pete,

After putting so much time and effort into making the traps, why would you "unscientifically" just drop them anywhere?

There are diagrams on the RealTraps website showing the best areas to place traps (in general).  You can also download the bass "pink noise" track from the RealTraps website which you can use to find areas of high bass output.  Simply play the track and walk or crawl around the room with your trusty SPL meter and you can find where the peaks are.  Wherever there is a peak, you have a potential spot for your traps.

George

[Big Red Machine]

Well I already have the corners covered.  What I was trying to do was "grab" the bass at the source and some reflections behind the rack.  I have not had any time to experiment gone on a biz trip all week.  So I was lucky with the "random", but theoretical, placements of these additional traps seeming to add some more snap to the music.  I'll eventually get to running sweeps.