Comparison: Super chunk corner absorber vs. (2) 2' x 4' x 4" bass traps

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brother love

Utilizing 2 in. thk. OC703 w/ FRK foil face from a local insulation contractor, I treated my problematic/ severely compromised live/ hot 17.5 ft. w x 11 ft. d x 8 ft. h room layout (wood floors w/ area rugs, painted wood panel walls, brick front wall, many openings) w/ (5) 2 in. thk. early reflection panels (FRK face @ back) & (2) 4 in. thk. 2 ft. x 4 ft. bass traps (FRK face @ front: both panels). I saw greatly improved results: tighter bass, more detail, far less echo.

After reading about the Studiotips Super Chunks (SSC) corner absorbers, I decided to modify my (2) flat panel bass traps accordingly. My  den only has 1 true vertical corner (back left behind recliners) where I located 24 in. w x 64 in. h solid diagonal super chunk to replace diagonal 4 in. thk bass trap & wall 4 in. thk. bass trap directly opposite sub.

6.1 System: av123 ELT525 towers & center, Paradigm Cinema diopole surrounds & single surround back, Rythmik F12G subwoofer (sits on DIY subbdude located behind recliners in corner near diagonal trap); Denon avr-1909 w/ Audyssey speaker auto calibration but w/ Multi EQ set to OFF, Front/ sub xover: 80 Hz, Center 90 Hz, Surrounds 150 Hz, Surround back 110 Hz, Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray player.

Utilizing RealTraps 10 Hz- 300 Hz test tones w/ Rat Shack SPL meter before/ after results are as follows (avr volume set @ 70 dB per track 30 pink noise) Seating/ mic position 3 ft. from back wall of 11 ft. room depth

10 Hz: corner super chunk: 64 dB, flat panels: 82 dB
20 Hz: corner super chunk: 76 dB, flat panels: 86 dB
30 Hz: corner super chunk: 81 dB, flat panels: 88 dB
40 Hz: corner super chunk: 81 dB, flat panels: 84 dB
50 Hz: corner super chunk: 82 dB, flat panels: 85 dB
60 Hz: corner super chunk: 84 dB, flat panels: 85 dB
70 Hz: corner super chunk: 78 dB, flat panels: 80 dB
80 Hz: corner super chunk: 84 dB, flat panels: 86 dB
90 Hz: corner super chunk: 83 dB, flat panels: 88 dB
100 Hz: corner super chunk: 90 dB, flat panels: 92 dB
110 Hz: corner super chunk: 89 dB, flat panels: 89 dB
120 Hz: corner super chunk: 83 dB, flat panels: 83 dB
130 Hz: corner super chunk: 86 dB, flat panels: 82 dB
140 Hz: corner super chunk: 78 dB, flat panels: 77 dB
150 Hz: corner super chunk: 74 dB, flat panel: 71 dB
160 Hz- 300 Hz: pretty much the same results for before/ after

While I haven't tweaked sub location, etc.; I am encouraged w/ initial readings utilizing SSC corner trap. I did try dialing back sub volume an additional 4-5 dB, but overall sound was greatly diminished to my ears. I also prefer Audyssey MultiEQ On vs. Off audio-wise (boosts 10- 80 Hz sub readings on avg. by 5 dB).

I realize any given room can vary & YMMV, but thought a comparison of the 2 bass treatments would be interesting for those considering SSC or 4" flat panel bass traps.  :green:

Any thoughts/ comments on these results are most welcome.
« Last Edit: 3 Nov 2009, 04:36 pm by brother love »

TooManyToys



I hate tables .....

brother love

Thanks TooManyToys ! Is that a readily accessible plot curve program (ie. free download maybe?  :green: )

I'm an older budget audiophile, but "green as grass" re: acoustical panel/ room treatments. I've done a lot of research/ analysis thus far, but still am a rookie. Any comments re: the results, that might aid in my cause? I know more treatments are likely in order, but WAF considerations cause me to start slowly.

PS, Nice looking Mustang fastback avatar.  I used to own a '66 rag top back in my younger years.

Ethan Winer

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Utilizing Ready Traps 10 Hz- 300 Hz test tones w/ Rat Shack SPL meter

Are you sure that's where you got those test tones?

Quote
10 Hz: corner super chunk: 64 dB, flat panels: 82 dB
20 Hz: corner super chunk: 76 dB, flat panels: 86 dB
30 Hz: corner super chunk: 81 dB, flat panels: 88 dB

Differences that large at such low frequencies are unlikely. Is it possible the microphone was not in precisely the same place for both tests?

--Ethan

TooManyToys

Sorry, it's your data plugged into Excel.  I just wanted to see the deviation across the board between the two methods.  No knowledgeable comments to make.

I used to have a '65 rag top as my first car and at one point had 5 '65-66 Mustangs.  But now paired down to 2 '66 Gt-350s.

brother love

Are you sure that's where you got those test tones?
A thousand apologies. As you well know, test tones came from RealTraps. Original post has been corrected.

Quote
Differences that large at such low frequencies are unlikely. Is it possible the microphone was not in precisely the same place for both tests?

--Ethan
Yes, it is possible. I performed hand held measurements from my sitting position, so could be off 6-12". I'll use a tripod to check 2nd batch of measurements.

bpape

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Most definitely use a tripod for comparative measurements like this.  Even a couple of inches can make a difference. 

Good job overall on the comparison though. 

Bryan