Cathedral Sound Room Damping Panels

jhm731 · « **on:** 9 Jun 2010, 06:29 pm »

Anyone tried these?

http://www.ultrasystem.com/usfeaturedPanelsTechInfo.html

Ethan Winer · « **Reply #1 on:** 10 Jun 2010, 05:34 pm »

Yes, I tried them and also measured them with room testing software. The Before/After results I got were very different from what they show. I measured no meaningful change at any frequency, and zero change below 40 Hz. Which makes sense given the very small size of those panels versus the laws of physics. If you care, let me know and I'll post the data and photos of the test session.

--Ethan

jhm731 · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Jun 2010, 06:04 pm »

Quote from: Ethan Winer on 10 Jun 2010, 05:34 pm

Yes, I tried them and also measured them with room testing software. The Before/After results I got were very different from what they show. I measured no meaningful change at any frequency, and zero change below 40 Hz. Which makes sense given the very small size of those panels versus the laws of physics. If you care, let me know and I'll post the data and photos of the test session.

--Ethan

Yes, I'd like to see your test data.

I plan to compare them to MiniTraps.

Ethan Winer · « **Reply #3 on:** 11 Jun 2010, 04:28 pm »

Quote from: jhm731 on 10 Jun 2010, 06:04 pm

Yes, I'd like to see your test data. I plan to compare them to MiniTraps.

The "data" I have for the Cathedral Panels is in the form of Before/After waterfalls measured in an 11 by 17 by 8 foot room when installed as instructed by the manufacturer. There are similar waterfalls for MiniTraps and MondoTraps all over the RealTraps site showing a substantial change after adding those traps. Versus the change for Cathedral Panels shown below (with the panels on top, without below). Just for fun we also measured three half-filled garbage cans, and those actually had a real effect around 100 Hz.

--Ethan

TomS · « **Reply #4 on:** 11 Jun 2010, 04:33 pm »

OK Ethan... I have everything but the kitchen sink now in my room in terms of bass traps. Now you tell me I need half filled trash cans? Oh, when will it ever end

Ethan Winer · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 Jun 2010, 03:53 pm »

Quote from: jhm731 on 12 Jun 2010, 06:25 am

Based on your pictures, you did not have the panels positioned according to the distributors current recomendations.

I can't speak for their "current" recommendations, but they were mounted exactly as we were told when we received them. In fact, the whole reason I did this test was because Ultrasystems did not how to do it themselves, so they asked if I'd help them.

Quote

I have the Cathedral panels in house and will compare them to my MiniTraps this weekend.

Excellent. Do you have a way to measure the room with and without? Or will you just do it by ear?

--Ethan

Nyal Mellor · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 Jun 2010, 05:24 pm »

Quote from: Ethan Winer on 12 Jun 2010, 03:53 pm

In fact, the whole reason I did this test was because Ultrasystems did not how to do it themselves, so they asked if I'd help them.
--Ethan

Are Ultrasystems the manufacturer or the distributor?

Ethan Winer · « **Reply #7 on:** 17 Jun 2010, 04:10 pm »

I had to dig back through my records to verify. The first contact I received was from David C. De Thier, CEO of Cathedral Sound. Then I received an email from Robert Stein at Ultra Systems, who is the distributor. Over time others were added (by them) as cc's in the emails. So I guess it's safe to say that both parties were involved in asking me to do those tests.

--Ethan