[Rclark]

 Did a couple searches but wasn't able to really find anything useful for planar speakers. Interested in building my own room treatements and perhaps purchasing some diy diffuser kits if necessary.

 So my speakers are Magnepan MMG's. I plan on keeping these as a long term speaker and have plans to have them modded. My current subwoofer (vented) will be replaced (so far this is my plan) eventually by one or maybe one then two ob servo subs.

 Apartment bedroom, about 15.5' * 13 rectangle. Corner door. System faces lengthwise, at door side. Speakers are about 4' out from the wall. 8' ceiling, one window. carpet.

 From what I understand, a system like this requires minimal treatment compared to conventional monopole box speakers. True?

[neekomax]

Whats up Rclark. Yer buddy Neeko here.

I'm relatively nooby on these matters, but I beLIEVE that the first step here is to figure out a way to take measurements from the listening position. That way you know exactly what you're attempting to correct before you start correcting.

Other, more senior authorities can verify this, but that's how I plan to start dealing with it... at some point  .

[JohnR]

From what I understand, a system like this requires minimal treatment compared to conventional monopole box speakers. True?

I don't have Magnepans but I do have full-range dipoles. I'd have trouble accepting at this point that "minimal" treatment is the way to think about it, just that it would be "different."

[eclein]

Good points all, the first thing to do is measurements so you don't screw up what you have but enhance it if your digging it now, I would think?? So what is the cheapest way to do this measuring thing?? Test Mic and that FREE software that I have here somewhere but can't find to type the naame because I'm old and its early. Anyway
1) Measure
2) Interpret
3) Postulate a theory of what your plan is and what your trying to do.
4) Talk to some manufacturers here that do that stuff and see what you can pick up on the cheap.
This more like what I'd do or attempt to do and is not meant to be "hey you gotta do this" list Rclark ok? Its really time for me to start doing this also, so I'll be following along to see what adventures may occur along the way.

[bpape]

I would agree with John that different is a better way to look at it.  Diffusion behind the panels to increase soundstage size and minimize comb filtering from the rear wave will be in order.

Smaller rooms actually require proportionately more bass control than larger ones.  What a speaker like a Maggie does is minimize somewhat interactions with the ceiling as well as not causing as many problems with side walls due to the natural cancellation at the sides.

Bryan

[JRace]

One on hand Dipoles have less energy radiating from the direct sides, which may reduce the need for some side wall treatments, they do however radiate more energy directly behind them which may require more treatment behind them. Bass treatments however are more room dependent than speaker type.

[ebag4]

RClark,
I don't have experience with planers but I do run full OBs in a small room.  I agree with John and Bryan that treatments are required although the will likely vary from what would be required for monopole speakers.  I am posting a pic to show you what I have done.  What is not shown are the ceiling/wall corners, in those I have reflection, not absortion, this made a nice improvement in the soundstage.

Here it is:




And here are the upper corner treatments (now covered):



Best of luck!
Ed

[Rclark]

Bryan! Thanks for the responses guys. 

I think I'm more excited about this than ever.

My question was posted in mainly hoping someone had sort of a similar rig and circumstances and could say, oh, well, put a few here and a few here and one of these over here.

 Not getting out of this that easy, am I?

[bpape]

If the diffusion extends far enough toward the corner to make trapping the front corners a no-go, you can do the absorption across the wall/floor junction behind them instead.

As I said, diffusion behind the panels specifically.

Side walls can be done with either absorption or diffusion pending your preference.

Rear wall will be dictated by how close you sit to it.

Bryan

[srlaudio]

I will ditto what Bryan said, and the bigger the better!

[Nyal Mellor]

Specifically for any speaker we are looking to reduce the level of the reflection -15dB relative to the direct sound. For non-line source planars (such as the MMGs - they are too small to be considered a line source) the loss of sound energy is 6dB per doubling of distance. Assuming a normal listening distance of 9ft then even a 4ft spacing from the wall behind the speakers is only going to result in a 5dB loss in the amount of reflected energy - a long way from our 15dB target.

So diffusion or absorption is required. In a small room such as yours it may be challenging to get the required reflection damping using solely diffusion therefore absorption may be required or at least a product that combines diffusion and absorption such as the RPG BAD or Primacoustic Flexifuser.

[Rclark]

Thanks for the heads up guys! 

 Turns out.. I may be moving here in a few weeks, and my room will be a larger, oddly shaped room. I'll post again when that happens.

 Meanwhile, I'll start doing my homework, based on what you've given me.