[whubbard]

I would like to start off by saying that I don't right now have the money to buy a lot of commecial traps I have exhausted my audio budget on a completely new system. I haven't been keep track as well as I should but I think its in the 10k+ range right now which was much more than I wanted to spend...the scary part is that I didn't even get any new sources! So for now I think I will have to stick to a DIY type solution (John Risch), but hopefully down the road I can put in some proper traps. Can any of you can help me in identifying the few key places where a trap might be helpful? (Bass or 'Normal' Traps)
 
Here is the room plan:
http://westsweb.com/Room.bmp
A photo of where the speakers will go here:
http://westsweb.com/Listening%20Space%20Big.JPG
and here are the speakers in place:
http://westsweb.com/system/Full%20System.JPG
Not sure if it matters, but I do have the rear firing tweeters on the Orion:
http://westsweb.com/system/Rear%20Tweeter.JPG
Also, here is the full build thread:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=56401.0
 
I am away right now, but if needed I can upload more photos of the room when I return. I hope the linked photos will help with a general idea.
 
Thanks

-West

[Ethan Winer]

Can any of you can help me in identifying the few key places where a trap might be helpful?

From what I can see, your best bet for bass traps in the front of the room is the wall-floor corners under the window. I'd have to see the rear of the room - distant shots, not close-ups - to suggest other placements. But the general goal is to have traps in as many corners as possible.

I also suggest you pull your speakers farther apart. The best setup is to create an equal triangle between the speakers and your head. More on that here:

How to set up a room

You'll also benefit greatly from absorption at the side-wall reflection points, also detailed in the article linked above. You may need some sort of stand for the panel on the right where the stairs are.

--Ethan

[darrenyeats]

and here are the speakers in place:
http://westsweb.com/system/Full%20System.JPG

If this photo is really showing the speakers in place, I agree you need them further apart. The Orions I heard worked a couple of feet away from the side wall (Siegfried's advice is at least two feet I think although ideally 3 feet plus).

Orions...I'm jealous. 
Darren

[bpape]

Agreed.  They definitely need some additional space.  In addition to on the floor behind the speakers, I'd also likely try to catch the shallow angle corners up front and probably some absorption on the angled ceiling.  Later on, you may want to move those ceiling absorbers to side walls and use diffusion on the angled ceiling.

Bryan

[whubbard]

Thanks for all the responses.

The Orions will be moved out more, they are just in that position until I finish up the amps. It just keeps the space more organized. Also, I will definitely try placing a few bass traps in the corners, and also some panels on the walls. For now the ceiling will be very difficult.

-West

[darrenyeats]

Another thought is that the Orion's design is intended to work in harmony with normal domestic environments rather than demand some notional perfect acoustic. So if you're out of money for treatments you've picked as good a system as any.
Darren

[bpape]

Agreed.  They're very forgiving of being close to side walls.  As for the rest, well, the designer actually recommends a live front wall and dead rear wall.  If you're going to stay live up front, eventually, you'll want diffusion up there (bass absorbers down on the floor corners though).  In the meantime, a couple of ficus trees behind the speakers will scatter a bit anyway.

Bryan

[whubbard]

Luckily the DIY panels don't cost much.
I have all the wood,
so all I need is 8" fiberglass
polyester batting
and burlap.

They might now be as good as some of the other panels, but they should do the job.

So I guess the main focus will be Bass Traps in the corners.
A few panels behind me (2?)
and the one on each side.

-West