[Daedalus Audio]

I need some help in taming my suite at RMAF. This was my first year at RMAF where I was able to have all the gear assembled before the show, yeah I know it should always be that way but reality does get in the way.  Anyhow it was very clear that there are larger issues with that particular room than I thought. Pretty much all the rooms above the 2nd floor have concrete ceilings, nothing but paint on the concrete! In the small rooms like where I was the first year that isn’t such a big deal as you practically have your head in the speaker, but in the large suite it has a huge effect. Essentially boosting the upper mid and putting a ‘glare’ on everything no matter what you do. Somehow I need to treat the ceiling, any ideas? I’m a sailor so of course my idea is to bring an old sail and stretch it across the ceiling, kind of like the marina brewpubs I know ; )     (maybe i could bring a keg of northwest micro brew too....)
I’d love to keep this suite since it’s a really comfortable room but as it turns out it may be one of the three sonically worst rooms to work with…. Help!!!

thanks,
lou

[Double Ugly]

Though there was nothing wrong with beginning this thread in Audio Central, I think you stand a better chance of finding an answer to your dilemma from the folks who frequent this circle, Lou.

Good luck.

[warnerwh]

Run to Walmart and get the thickest egg crate foam they have. This would work as a temporary solution. I'd also make it 2 or 3 thicknesses. Fortunately it is cheap. Best wishes

[John Casler]

Lou,

Your "sail" idea is actually a good one, but I would go for a "billowy cloud" look, and also combine methods.

Listen to Warner and run to Wall Mart and get a couple Kingsize Foam Mattress Pads.

Then pick up a couple King size flat "flannel" sheets.

And for overkill, ask the hotel for their "elevator liner pads" (which are like moving pads with "eyes" to hang them on the elevator walls to protect them.

Your on your own on ways to "affix" this to the ceiling, but first put up the Foam, then the elevator pads. and then affix the four corners of the sheets so that the center hangs down from the ceiling about a foot or two so in the center.

Then affix a single point in the center to the ceiling, and badabing

It is a dark hole for highs and should keep upper mids well damped to.

It will cause freaky good soundstage and imagine over the stock room.

[Russell Dawkins]

and if you can get the elevator pad or foam to sag away from the ceiling in the middle, so much the better for LF absorption.

[bpape]

The sail will only change very high frequencies and then not even that much.  If the cloth is dense and tight, it'll actually reflect the majority.  It's difficult to deal with the height in those rooms since you can't really 'attach' anything without getting slammed with damage fees. 

You'll need to have something that's self supporting and also something that is absorbant and a couple of inches thick - sorry but skip the foam.  Most of it is worthless. 

Bryan

[zybar]

The sail will only change very high frequencies and then not even that much.  If the cloth is dense and tight, it'll actually reflect the majority.  It's difficulat to deal with the height in those rooms since you can't really 'attach' anything without getting slammed with damage fees. 

You'll need to have something that's self supporting and also something that is absorbant and a couple of inches thick - sorry but skip the foam.  Most of it is worthless. 

Bryan

I agree with Bryan...the foam and the cloth will do very little and what little is done, might cause more harm than good.

Lou, I think you should talk to people like Bryan or Glenn from GIK or Ethan from Realtraps for a solution.  Maybe you can even team up with one of them for next year's show.  Both Realtraps and GIK were in a quite a few rooms at the show, and it wasn't a coincidence that those rooms tended to have better sound.

George

[Ethan Winer]

Both Realtraps and GIK were in a quite a few rooms at the show, and it wasn't a coincidence that those rooms tended to have better sound.

No kidding, George.

We treated six rooms at RMAF this year, and I heard nothing but good comments.

Lou, I visited your web site and saw your beautiful Ulysses speakers for $8,800 per pair. And you want to use cheap sail cloth as "acoustic treatment" to make them sound their best?

--Ethan

[Glenn K]

I’m a sailor so of course my idea is to bring an old sail and stretch it across the ceiling, kind of like the marina brewpubs I know ; ) 

Do you still own a boat? When I lived in Florida I bought a 69 Morgan and restored it from head to toe. Man I miss that old boat.

Lou, I visited your web site and saw your beautiful Ulysses speakers for $8,800 per pair. And you want to use cheap sail cloth as "acoustic treatment" to make them sound their best?

I totally agree, but there is no such thing as "cheap sail cloth". In fact there is nothing "cheap" priced on any sailboat.

Glenn

[John Casler]

Lou,

I should add, my suggestion was more along the lines of a make shift what to do when you're in a room, and the show starts in 3 hours, not what to do for next year.

Off the shelf materials will not work as well as dedicated items.

[Daedalus Audio]

[quote

Do you still own a boat? When I lived in Florida I bought a 69 Morgan and restored it from head to toe. Man I miss that old boat.

Glenn

she's an Islander 36, i've had her about five years. lately i've been replacing the vinyl headliner with real fir and mahogany.   and like you say there's nothing cheap on a sailboat.

anyhow, sounds like i'd best talk with the pros.  i'll be in touch.

thanks,
lou

[jrebman]

Lou,

Never knew you were a sailor, but guess with a name like "Hinkley" it must be in the blood

I've sailed on an Islander 36 (and a 29 as well) -- nice boats.  Did you sail that around from the east coast or get it where you  are now?

Always wanted a Concordia yawl or one of the smaller John Alden Malabars -- got to tie up next to the original Malabar X once in Annapolis, what a boat!.

-- Jim

[ajzepp]

  Both Realtraps and GIK were in a quite a few rooms at the show, and it wasn't a coincidence that those rooms tended to have better sound.

That rocks 

[Gordy]

At one of the Euro shows somebody exhibited using an aluminum frame(s) not unlike scaffolding to hang panels from the ceiling and walls.  Must have been a major expense tho....

[carusoracer]

Lou,

Never knew you were a sailor, but guess with a name like "Hinkley" it must be in the blood

I've sailed on an Islander 36 (and a 29 as well) -- nice boats.  Did you sail that around from the east coast or get it where you  are now?

Always wanted a Concordia yawl or one of the smaller John Alden Malabars -- got to tie up next to the original Malabar X once in Annapolis, what a boat!.

-- Jim

Nice boats you guys!  A lot bigger than my little Flying Scot

[Glenn K]

Lou,

Never knew you were a sailor, but guess with a name like "Hinkley" it must be in the blood

I've sailed on an Islander 36 (and a 29 as well) -- nice boats.  Did you sail that around from the east coast or get it where you  are now?

Always wanted a Concordia yawl or one of the smaller John Alden Malabars -- got to tie up next to the original Malabar X once in Annapolis, what a boat!.

-- Jim

Nice boats you guys!  A lot bigger than my little Flying Scot

Bigger but the flying scott is TON  of fun to race! I live in Atlanta now and at times think about buying something like the Flying Scot.

[Ethan Winer]

there is nothing "cheap" priced on any sailboat.

No kidding Glenn. You know the old joke:

What are the two best days in a boat owner's life? The day he buys it, and the day he sells it.



--Ethan

[Inscrutable]

A friend from Connecticut, asked to describe owning a big sailboat, advised to sit on a block of ice in the shower, turn on the water, and throw 20's in the toilet.   Might have to adjust that to 50's now. 

[Glenn K]

A friend from Connecticut, asked to describe owning a big sailboat, advised to sit on a block of ice in the shower, turn on the water, and throw 20's in the toilet.   Might have to adjust that to 50's now. 

Throw in a person sitting next to you getting sick and complaining  , I would say you are pretty close to the truth. But hey the days when the sun is shining, you have a drink in your hand, pretty girls are on the deck, thats when LIFE IS GOOD. aa


Glenn