need help in acoustics

[kaptan]

i need to do diy acoustic treatment for my ht room. i have gone through aurica acoustic foams from bajaao.com
Buy Aurica Pyramid Shaped Acoustical Foam Panel 10 x10 x2 - Set of 2 at Rs260.00, Lowest Price in India, Authorized Dealer, Distributor | Free Shipping | Bajaao.com

Buy Aurica Wedge Shaped Acoustic Foam 10 x10 x2 - Set of 2 at Rs260.00, Lowest Price in India, Authorized Dealer, Distributor | Free Shipping | Bajaao.com

will these be enough for a decent treatment of the room. or i need to do work on buying rockwool and prepare panels and place it.

let me know your thoughs

 

[Shivam]

I prefer the foam panels. They are easy to use and clean.

For broad spectrum absorption, you can make a couple of membrane type acoustic panels and fill them with glass-wool.

Open windows are the best 'acoustic panels' if the ambient noise and temperature is comfortable.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

kaptan, have you heard of theinventory? I don't know how products or prices compare, or if they hold stock. I was hoping that they might have stock of Adam speakers (which they advertise) for demo, but they don't. Anyway, it is a Chennai-based business (Luz Church Road) so easy to ask.

 

[kaptan]

the inventory seem to be on a higher price. aurica has some low priced panels for 260 rs 2 panels. planned to buy some 15 panels and use it on the walls and ceilings. my doubt is which kind of panels can be used in side walls, back walls and ceiling. i have chosen wedge panels and pyramid shaped. which one to be used on the which places.

 

[Fantastic]

This might be a silly question. Have you already done some acoustic measurements in your room ? If not I wonder how you would know what you need to add and where.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Ahh... good point.

I suppose there are the main reflection points where absorption probably always helps, and perhaps behind the listener too. Bass traps seem to be pretty much a good idea too.

I wish I had a room in which I could experience and play with this stuff.

 

[kaptan]

after a lot of research just got a quote locally for pyramid foam 6'x3'x2" for 1200rs. which is similar to listed in bajaao.com aurica models. i can buy around 4-5 sheets and glue including 6k. i can just paste them in ceiling and walls. also i am planning to cut it and use them in the corners.

will this be a good idea to absorb sound and have good acoustics? let me know your thoughts.

 

[manoj.p]

Depends on the thickness. If you plan to put 2" thick absorbers, don't even bother.

 

[sidvee]

after a lot of research just got a quote locally for pyramid foam 6'x3'x2" for 1200rs. which is similar to listed in bajaao.com aurica models. i can buy around 4-5 sheets and glue including 6k. i can just paste them in ceiling and walls. also i am planning to cut it and use them in the corners.

will this be a good idea to absorb sound and have good acoustics? let me know your thoughts.

Just foam sheets of 2" thick will not be able to absorb the mid and lower frequencies. All they will do is absorb higher frequencies (perhaps 800hz and above, cannot say without published test results of the mfr.), which will result in the room sounding lifeless.
There are a lot of threads in the forum with DIY panels using glass wool/rock wool etc. That is your best bet.
Also before you even do this why don't you do what was suggested by Fantastic.
1. Download some frequency test tones from the web .
2. Download a db meter app. for your smart phone.
3. Place the phone in your listening position while playing back the test tones.
4. Graph each frequency.
5. Note the nulls and peaks in the graph. .
6. Those are your problem frequencies.
7. Plan treatment around those problem areas.
You can treat peaks with room treatment, but cannot so anything about nulls except for moving your listening seat and or speakers.
Further you can also test for slap echoes in the room by clapping you hands and hearing for the ringing. A lot of discussion is available on the web for this as well as remedies.
Room treatment for acoustics is a sound and objective science, unlike many subjective audiophile topics. So one should take advantage of the scientific approach rather than treat a room by forum advice alone.
And basic measurement is available almost free.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[kaptan]

thanks for your reply,

i do feel the bass is not punch enough to me. i will try to do some test on them asap.

Just foam sheets of 2" thick will not be able to absorb the mid and lower frequencies. All they will do is absorb higher frequencies (perhaps 800hz and above, cannot say without published test results of the mfr.), which will result in the room sounding lifeless.
There are a lot of threads in the forum with DIY panels using glass wool/rock wool etc. That is your best bet.
Also before you even do this why don't you do what was suggested by Fantastic.
1. Download some frequency test tones from the web .
2. Download a db meter app. for your smart phone.
3. Place the phone in your listening position while playing back the test tones.
4. Graph each frequency.
5. Note the nulls and peaks in the graph. .
6. Those are your problem frequencies.
7. Plan treatment around those problem areas.
You can treat peaks with room treatment, but cannot so anything about nulls except for moving your listening seat and or speakers.
Further you can also test for slap echoes in the room by clapping you hands and hearing for the ringing. A lot of discussion is available on the web for this as well as remedies.
Room treatment for acoustics is a sound and objective science, unlike many subjective audiophile topics. So one should take advantage of the scientific approach rather than treat a room by forum advice alone.
And basic measurement is available almost free.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[sidvee]

i do feel the bass is not punch enough to me. i will try to do some test on them asap.

Kaptan, majority of listening rooms will have issues with bass and they are also the toughest to tame/treat Hence my earlier dismissal of the 2" foam, which does nothing at mids, let alone bass. frequencies.
If you say you are not getting punch it could indicate a major suck out or null at larger portions of bass frequencies especially mid bass.
After you measure and see the graph on bass/mid bass frequency in your room consider these steps:
1. Try moving your speakers/listening position if you can. There is a lot of placement advice for these both on our forum and the web. This will take care of some issues.
2. Try making at-least 2 - 4" panels of 4' x 2' x 4" using glass/rock wool. When you place them diagonal in front corners with an air gap, I have measured some rooms with measurable absorption upto 60-80hz, meaning they are excellent bass traps. This may help smoothen some of the peaks.
Net to net, once the bass graph approaches somewhat of a straight line (it will never be truly flat except perhaps in an anechoic chamber) you will hear tighter, faster and cleaner bass with greater extension than before.
Good luck.
Cheers,
Sid

 

[kaptan]

thanks sidvee,

i have purchased rockwool 64kg density bag today and it was delivered to day. they told me the bag will contain around 14 slabs.

Planning to prepare broadband absorbers kind of things by placing 2 or 3 slabs and covering with the paper or plastic cover (in order to avoid dust coming out in the future) and wrap it with fabric, which will be done later after packing it completely. Using it like 8 slabs for corners and remaining for the walls.

Problems I face: Don't have enough place to prepare the panels. decided to do it in the terrace to avoid dust from them and itching.
Don't have budget to make wooden frames. So decided to make the panels without frame. I hope it wont make much difference.
Need some ideas to hang them on the wall and corners.

It would be great if you guys can help me by giving some ideas and tips. And to complete the project in a neat way. I will try to post some pics while preparing.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

here's a sort of idea...

Have you tried searching YouTube?

I have seen some How-To stuff that could cover the kind of thing you are doing. It was a while ago, though, and I can't be any more specific.

EDIT: Here's one I was thinking of


~

 

[Ambio]

Kaptan, you can download Rew Room EQ and run the test to find the frequencies that need to be tackled. It can be a little complicated but you will appreciate the end results.