[Cheerwino]

Still thinking through potential room setup and I'm wondering if you could front corner bass traps with floor-to-ceiling curtains (tight woven silk or open weave fabric).

So, let's say you have nice thick@ss bass traps across all four corners, floor to ceiling, (or even tri-traps). Since the purpose is to absorb bass, would bass trap effectiveness be diminished if floor-to-ceiling curtains were hung just in front of those traps? Would it have to be a loose weave that would easily pass air or could it be a tightly woven drape like silk (of which we already have many)?

I wondered if a tight weave silk curtain would be problematic in front of bass traps, assuming it would reflect the highs and mids and pass bass (not sure if this is true). I can see you wouldn't want tight weaves in front of a broadband frequency absorber, but is it detrimental to bass traps as well? If so, how? Thanks!

[youngho]

If there were real absorption by the curtains, it would only enhance the effect of the bass traps, but any curtain not made of concrete will be fine. The silk curtains you describe will have minimal acoustical effects. Thick velour curtains draped loosely (e.g. bunched up to half of their actual width) will provide better absorption.

[steve2701]

Cheerwino,
                tightly woven silk curtains in front of 'front' BASS traps should be absolutely fine as you are probably looking to have them reflect mids and highs to keep some life in the room.
You will certainly NOT be wanting them over your first reflection point traps (aimed at absorbing different frequencies than bass traps) nor (probably) any of you rear traps as you should be looking to create a 'reflection free zone' back there where your listening seat is.

[Cheerwino]

Cheerwino,
                tightly woven silk curtains in front of 'front' BASS traps should be absolutely fine as you are probably looking to have them reflect mids and highs to keep some life in the room.
You will certainly NOT be wanting them over your first reflection point traps (aimed at absorbing different frequencies than bass traps) nor (probably) any of you rear traps as you should be looking to create a 'reflection free zone' back there where your listening seat is.

Thanks Steve2701 and youngho. I'm familiar with the rule of thumb that says the cover fabric should be something you can breathe through. But, then folks put plastic or paper in front of the fiberglass to reflect HF in the bass traps. So, I figured a tighter fabric would work for bass traps.

Steve2701, I didn't realize a tight, more reflective fabric could be an issue with rear bass traps. Definitely wouldn't use those curtains for side reflection points or the rear. Thanks to both of you for chiming in.