Ep. 24 - Room Treatments Part 4 of 4. Place Acoustic Panels for Maximum Focus and Spaciousness!

[@PnoT00]

Amazing videos Steve! I've learned more about home theater from you than any other single resource. Thank you for putting in the effort and time to help us out.

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks for the feedback man I definitely appreciate it!

[@michaelkreisel3573]

Thank you for this comprehensive and simple video. I’ve invested quite a few hours listening to gene at audioholics and Anthony Grimano. They spend a lot of time in the deep end of acoustics. I think they forget most of us are hobbyists and don’t have a degree. Although I do appreciate there knowledge. But this video was certainly something I can apply in my movie room. Great job 👍 thanks

[@michaelkreisel3573]

Oh my. What a difference. So after watching this video yesterday I built a couple absorbing panels to sit behind me. 👍 dialogue and voices are so much clearer. I’ll finish up the other 8 today and try measuring my room with REW. Awesome, this is exciting. Thanks for a great video. And for any of you DIY’rs I wouldn’t recommend Duck Canvas. It shows everything. I gotta wrap it with a thin material first. If you don’t do this and just wrap the duck canvas you’ll see your wood frame. And be sure who ever you purchase fabric from they do NOT fold it. Those creases will have to be ironed out.

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks. It's awesome when you hear your system sound vastly better using something so simple.

[@michaelkreisel3573]

@@hometheatergurus 👍 for $150 and a little time I have a night and day difference. No amount of tweaking would have got me where I am today without these 9 panels. I didnt do any bass traps, and I’m thinkin I don’t need to. I had a huge null in my room and now it’s nearly gone. Keep up the good work 😊

[@sethpettman5491]

What a great bunch of videos! Reading more and more about room Treatment and really want to allocate some budget to get the most out of my speakers. Thanks for all the information. Very helpful for us newer guys. I've only been enjoying HT for 6 years or so and just in the last 2-3 discovered how important that I need treatment.

[@draxxthemsklounst]

Tackling just those front contralaterals made my surround sound come alive. My wife freaked out watching a movie last night because it really sounded like something was crawling across the ceiling behind us. We were clearly getting a bunch of sound from the wrong side of the room before adding panels.

[@martinmares8998]

Great video, thank you! I'm fortunate I picked speakers that are good on axis and off axis. I added a few combo panels as suggested in your video and wow. My system sounds awesome and big. My room an open concept living room that opens to the kitchen and front entry way. Again, thank you for making these excellent informative videos.

[@BernaParra]

Excellent information, very valuable everything you say, my home cinema changed 100% with this data, thank you very much, greetings from Argentina.

[@johnwalker4221]

Fantastic! Thank you so much. Exactly the professional and practical advice I was looking for as I complete my HT redesign.

[@nothingtoseehere93]

Your videos are always informative scientific and clear. These helped my theater by a shit ton

[@kendellwangsaunders411]

Thank-you. Lots of useful info. and tips. Working my way through many of your episodes. Clarification: For those of us with Magneplanar speakers, they are dipoles. Sound comes from back also. Dispersion treatment behind them (such as TubeTraps) is among first treatment needed for dipole speakers.

[@gregwx]

Wonderful explanation and walkthrough, room acoustic can be a very daunting enterprise, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge in such a easy to understand guide.

[@alkhazid9071]

I saw a video that said to put acoustic panels behind the speakers. Thank you for addressing that issue because I had a feeling it didn't make sense.

[@BAM-ee2jm]

All your videos are great!

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks! You must not have seen the first few I did.. 😜

[@pete3882]

Awesome videos. Great learning for us beginners. Finally making some sense of this great hobby.

[@SquidkidMega]

Fantastic explanation, thanks very much

[@Mads1693]

Absolutely amazing videos, chief! Thank you for your zero-bullshit language! You should have way more subscribers.. cheers!

[@iampuzzleman282]

I'm not sure I put the speakers in the corners and toe in so much. Lots of people don't have empty walls and there's furniture and shit so I'm not sure why this is so helpful.

[@kennydennis9033]

I love your videos , they are very informative... keep up the great work!

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks!

[@laurabrown5568]

One of the Best Ideas of Noise Free Room is "SoundProof Curtains" That Stops Outside Noise by 80% (25 Db) Tested. Check Here: livesoundproof.com/best-soundproof-curtains/

[@RobbieGeniusMind]

Well done my friend. I have watched tons of videos but none simplifies it like you did. I will follow your suggestions and let you know how it turns out. Thank you 😊

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks Robert!!

[@brnmaull]

Loving the videos man! Keep up the great work.

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks!

[@TheJoeyPeacock]

Steve...enjoying all these videos. *Thanks so much* for producing them. Wondering: Could you please do an episode on building and installing fabric theater room wall panels? You'd dominate the search if you did as I can't find any other detailed video on this anywhere. Thanks for helping with my questions!

[@hometheatergurus]

Do you mean installing acoustics covered in fabric directly on the wall so your left with fabric walls as seen in my theater walk through?

[@TheJoeyPeacock]

@@hometheatergurus, thanks for the reply! I'm talking about acoustical transparent fabric panels *over* the walls so that when you are in your home theater, you don't see acoustical wall treatment (absorbers, diffusers, deflectors) nor any speakers. Here's a link to an example: www.mycinematech.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/DDR2948_Elliston-Systems_Napper-Theater_View01.jpg

[@pankajnanglu667]

Great Video! Thanks for all your help :)

[@hometheatergurus]

Happy to help!

[@paulg3884]

Outstanding video - I learned a ton!

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks Paul and really happy you found it useful!

[@marcosdellavalle2309]

Good video, just be ready for imperfections on panels when going with recommended company

[@jadan2000]

Thats was an awesome series Steve! thx a lot

[@SomeGuyNamedPaul49]

This one video right here is more useful than the entire Floyd Toole book.

[@hometheatergurus]

Thank you. It's definitely more to the point!

[@sabukumar3069]

Amazing content , as always . Have rewatched every one of your videos and incrementally understand more of the concepts you have taught . Please advise what thickness of panels you recommend for side reflections and rear ? Thanks heaps for sharing your passion and knowledge.

[@paulgyro]

Good info here, perhaps I missed it but at some point I'd love to hear about your background and how you came to have all this knowledge.

[@timoxx4]

Love to hear more about the subwoofer design. I would love to have some help with sub design myself as i was just looking at the Marty subs and the size of them is definitely a bit big.

[@hometheatergurus]

You'll soon know how to design your own and yes you'll be good at it when we're done.. 😉

[@edwinabuel324]

Hi! I leaned a lot from your videos. I have a question regarding using acoustic panels for bipolar speakers. I'm currently running a 5.2.2 set up. and I'm just wondering if I still need acoustic panels since these speakers are designed to use walls to reflect its sound. My plan is to use only Acupanels on the back walls and put a bass traps on the corners back wall The room measures 18x20 and my seats are 2 feet away from the back walls. Please help. Thank you in advance.

[@sammy10001]

Hey mate, your examples from 8:00 to 10:00 in the video, you talk about combo panels. What kind, 1d combo panels or 2d? Gik makes both. Just wondering 1d or 2d. Thanks

[@herewegoagain404]

Thanks for the video. Very useful.

[@1Aquadon]

Thanks Steve!!!

[@hometheatergurus]

You're welcome 🙂

[@frankvee]

I'm curious as to what the speaker is that has the poor off-axis response in the graph you show at the beginning of the video.

[@hometheatergurus]

Klipsch rc62

[@spartak9101]

Where do you place panels if you have a L shaped room and left side of the room is open into another living area of the room.

[@darrikmullins9127]

What do you do if you come across a situation where one of the surround speakers is a reflection point?

[@Stevo19801]

Amazing stuff

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks!

[@shengchen728]

Nice video! Love it! Would you be interested to go over some topics like acoustic effect on rooms with glass windows with varies type of blinds, wall height large size bookshelves with glass door against one side of the wall, partial opening on one side of the room (with and without doors) , also room orientation (i.e. front wall is longer than side wall). Lastly, Anthem ARC room correction system (sorry about the long list... :o) ) Thank you.

[@ark9515]

Hi there, do you think more thicker rockwool slabs are better than denser rockwool slab for room treatment or vice-versa? I may not go for bass traps ( atleast not at the moment). For e.g. a 4-inch 64 kg/m3 2 X 4 (feet) slab is better over a 2-inch 80-100 kg/m3?

[@Flightsimmovies]

What if I have a curtain (Ikea blackout curtain not thick at all) at the first reflection point ? what should I do? thanks

[@ChadAV69]

Hey, Steve. Wouldn’t it be more efficient to mount panels horizontally if you only have one seat height? You cover the first reflection points for more seats with one panel. Thanks.

[@mgrotel]

Can you comment on what the popular speaker is with bad on and off axis?

[@tommyboom3565]

You are doing some great stuff there 👍🏼 Are you going to talk about single bass arrays / double bass arrays and why you chose the multi sub layout?

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks. I've already shown and demonstrated with REW why we need multiple subs but it kinda gets lost in those longer videos so yeah I'll probably do one just on that down the road. I also talked about bass arrays, I think it was in the room mode video.

[@tommyboom3565]

Home Theater Gurus My bad, I diddnt watch every video yet. But I’m going to 💪

[@igormord8636]

haha, and you answer my question on the 13th minute. Thank you!

[@kuriakos36]

Hello mate one more time hope you good i have one question i have a space in my house that is 5 metres length * 3.30 width * 2 metres height I could create a home theatre there with dolby atmos??? or because the ceiling is too low the specifications do not allow it ??? Thank you again!!

[@diamondjiwanpuri]

Hi Steve, i got velvet curtains on 3 sides of the room, full end to end walls. Is this a good or bad? Now I assume I need to add absorption panels. Do you think more and more of absorption panels behind the curtains will be overkill and will turn negative instead of giving positive results? I can stick as many as panels behind the curtains as these will be hidden and I don't need to make fancy panels. Thanks

[@diamondjiwanpuri]

Hi Steve, I made 10 absorption panels in total 1200mm x 600mm x 90mm (10mm airgap making it 100mm from wall to front of panel). I have installed 2 x panels at rear wall vertically. Installed 2 x on each side wall (4 in total) to treat contralateral. Installed 2 x behind the fronts to treat SBIR. Total 8 done. I am now left with 2 x panels. What will be your preference to install these, on rear wall (that will make 4 panels in total on rear wall). Or should I place on side walls near the rear wall?

[@TopperDude]

How would you tackle acoustics if tv and couch was along the long walls? Do the sides still need to be treated similarly? Or do the longer side distances change things?

[@MartinHAndersen]

An idea for another episode. How can we use REW to measure the impact of acoustic panels in real-time?

[@hometheatergurus]

You can measure the changes but you wouldn't use measurements to treat a room. You'd use the info In the video. You can use impulse if you have a very irregular room and some furniture or something is causing a nasty reflection and you want to find it using time.

[@kevfarny4082]

I have a window on the back wall with a blackout blind, how can I treat reflection here?

[@BFArch0n]

My room is 14' high at the front and 8' high are the rear (angled cathedral)....thoughts? Room is about 14' wide, 17' deep

[@YoutubeGiJoe]

Sir you deserve more views !

[@thebigk013]

Great video Steve! I have a quick question though. Say I have tower speakers for mains that are about 3 feet tall, and I am working with panels that are 4 feet tall. Say I need a panel in a spot where a door is, so mounting is unlikely. Would the panels be just as effective leaned steeply up against the door? In this position they would be resting on the floor and not quite 4 feet tall because of the slight angle. Is there an ideal height that you recommend placing panels, or do you think having them rest on the ground would work in that situation? Thanks!

[@groto27]

Great video! Maybe I missed it, but I am in the planning/design phase of my room so I don't have the speakers yet (although I know the dimensions and have planned the speaker layout already) How do I design so that I know where the acoustic panels should go ahead of time since I don't have an existing room to use the mirror method? I am trying to plan ahead of time so I don't have to redo anything like needing to put a panel where my front wide is or a column ends up being etc...

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks. You need software to do that. I do room/design layouts so if you need help you can email me at [e-mail] for info.

[@dickydoesaudio3466]

Great video... Second best one for me. DSP being first... My rear wall is at least 10' behind me, should I be absorbing there? Thanks.. I'm really digging the channel the more in depth you go. Good stuff man!!

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks Shawn!

[@Tearial311]

How would you treat a basement pole? I have one in my theater room and it rings. My room is treated for the most part except for the ringing from the pole

[@hometheatergurus]

If an issue you could wrap it with 1" flexible ductliner. You can get it at your local hvac shop. They may just give you a scap price as you wouldn't need much m. Then cover with fabric. Making it look good is what will be hard.

[@hypoSTAR]

Which thickness of Rockwool would you use for the absorption points in this video? Thinking about making some DIY

[@Stevo19801]

Can you do a follow up to this on what you did in your room and anything you would do different on the next one

[@dbinott]

You mention people out them too high, so, what it the proper height? I have mine extending just past my mains. Top is at.46"

[@davidthomson8164]

Thanks for this really informative video. Would you treat the ceiling first if it's 8 feet and the side walls are 12 feet with windows from the speakers?

[@nerreeve8970]

Love this series. I learned so much. Didn't know 90% of this stuff before watching this video. My questions is, with a Klipsch system R625 (which I plan to purchase) should I do all Combo panels from GIK or a mix of absorption when it comes to ipslateral and contralateral. Heck should I do Combo in the rear wall too.

[@danielwander605]

Videos are really great. Best I’ve come across for sure. I do have a question. Screen is installed about 3 ft in front of the wall. It’s not an AT screen. Should I be looking to treat that front wall. I’ve already hit the other areas and I do have leftover material. Thanks

[@Subacabra]

Hi Steve! I have a decent living room setup with some ATS absorption panels at first reflection points. Speakers are PSA MT110 lcr, volt 10 surrounds and volt 6 heights. Just wondering if I have the panels in decent spots, and if I need to add some diffusion/combo panels. I have a walk through video on my channel if you get a spare minute sometime to check it out and let me know what you think I'd really appreciate it :)

[@FatterTony]

Does anyone know what the bad speaker is in the graph at the beginning?

[@sachin_s]

Great Video & by far the best series I have ever seen for room treatment. Delivered in a language and pace anyone can understand . QQ - I have an entire wall of floor to ceiling velvet curtains on the right side of my theatre room (covering a window). If I was to go with Combo panels on the other wall, would I still need to compensate with the same panels on the right side as well? I.e will they still be effective when placed behind the curtain? Or, should I double down and place absorption panels behind the curtains & within the window frame instead?

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks! You want to balance the sound so if you have combo on one side you need it on both. With curtains you can place absorbtion behind the curtains and treat the opposite side with absorption too. Combo doesn't work well behind curtains because curtains especially heavy ones will absorb the upper frequencies.

[@sachin_s]

Home Theater Gurus thank you again for your guidance!

[@sachin_s]

One more question if I may... what about bass traps? How would you go about placing them? Not sure if this was covered in this series or in any of your other videos?

[@sachin_s]

And for a bit more context, I have 3 subwoofers placed quarter distance from the wall boundaries of the room at the moment. Working on getting a 4th sub in sometime soon. With 4 subs, do I still need bass traps and if so, do they go on all 4 corners floor to ceiling?

[@GTGrabber]

What about bass traps? I have 4 subs and trying to decide where to place them in a square room (19X19). From your other video, you cannot go wrong with corner placement. But would it be better to place the woofers in the nulls along the walls and bass traps in the corners? Thanks

[@hometheatergurus]

Ep 11 is on room mode calculations. But yeah you're on the right path. Usually 1/4s for subs and put the bass traps in corners.

[@GTGrabber]

@@hometheatergurus I just finished watching that one. I knew the answer was here somewhere. I've watched your series at least 3 times over the years. Lol thanks.

[@SStrandh]

great video. I am planning on building a small guesthouse combined listening room. There will be a large window at the rear wall behind the listening position. about 3,5ft away. will a window "absorb" some frequencies or do it reflect all sound? I will have a thick curtain for the window so it will absorb high frequencies (I think).

[@joeydelmarsjr.646]

how do you treat a full size tower for example i have RP280f does that means i need a 4ft panel to capture the tweeter above and the woofers?

[@hometheatergurus]

Yes, most of the vocals are coming from the woofers.

[@LeoShimm]

Can you please tell again, what exactly the combo panel you are pointing ?

[@MartinHAndersen]

Thanks for another great episode. What about the front wall? and no bass traps?

[@hometheatergurus]

I really discuss bass traps and why we usually don't really need them in the episode on room modes. Even 1' thick on the rear wall isn't going to tame large subwoofer range waves. But above that it can help a lot in the modal area. You can definitively do the front wall too if you have a false wall. But honestly having a baffle wall would be a better option which is why you see professionally designed rooms with baffle walls. We will be covering that soon.

[@MartinHAndersen]

@@hometheatergurus Thanks must admit that I Skip must of that episode (: Again I am a stereo guy and don't have a array of aligned subwoofers so my main speakers are full range. And I think that bass traps could help me with long RT60 time. But this was a great episode. Thanks again. You talked about moving? are you going to have room for a new home Theater?

[@hometheatergurus]

@@MartinHAndersen I'm kind of back and forth. I'll definitely have a living room (7.1.4) and master bedroom system (5.1.4) but not sure about a dedicated space.

[@Triggaaar]

Hi Steve. Say you've got a symmetrical room and front speakers with good off axis response: you advise to use a combo panel, to make the room sound bigger/more spacious, by utilising high frequency scattered reflections. But what if the scene in the film is dead sounding, and the director (and sound engineer) don't want it to sound spacious? Aren't we allowing reflections we don't want? Thanks

[@hometheatergurus]

It doesn't quite work that way. Take a quiet scene with vocals that's all that's mixed so that all that's played back. The combo panels aren't adding distortion or noise. They're simply placed to widen and extend the sound stage. The room is still very relaxing with a very low noise floor and every detail has extreme clarity but we haven't killed the spaciousness by absorbing everything. Now I personally do usually absorb the center channel ipsilateral as I prefer maximize focus there. No professional designer with current training uses all absorption anymore and hasn't for over a decade if not 2 decades.

[@steveszolman]

Fantastic video. If my room is 29’ long, do I need to put absorption panels and combo on the back wall? Or could I use combo panels for the whole back wall?

[@sabukumar3069]

Steve , if in a room with well designed speakers and if budget allows , would you recommend all combo panels ? Also , is there any benefit in replacing some of these combo panels with pure diffusion panels in some positions ? Thanks for ur amazing content !

[@hometheatergurus]

All of the room plans I've done are well designed and not one has all combo. Some reflections need to be absorbed.

[@kwakuadae5758]

Hi there , aside using mirrors to locate those reflection points , is there a way to locate them through calculations ? I'm in the process of building my house and the living room will be my primary entertainment center...if it's possible to know those points on advance then ,I can ensure those places are either windows ( likely to be opened most of the times ) so everything just rather goes through or if that isn't possible pre design that area to receive some treatment.....

[@kwakuadae5758]

Just to add, just saw your channel and been going through your videos so might not have understood everything yet

[@sampoquette2557]

I just binge watched a dozen of your videos. Great info, thank you so much for putting the time in. I have a quick question - I can't treat one of the sidewalls because an open stairway goes right over where the reflection points are. Should I not do the other sidewall to keep it balanced?

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks Sam! If you have a lack of reflection at say the ipsilateral where we normally would use a combo panel you need to worry about balance. So the lack of reflection there means the opposite wall needs absorbtion at that point. Open side walls are explained in the video but that's the gist of it.

[@sampoquette2557]

@@hometheatergurus thanks for the response! I would imagine the stairs create a bit of diffusion, so should I use a combo panel on the opposite wall? Or stick to absorption only

[@hometheatergurus]

@@sampoquette2557 use a mirror and see if it completely blocks the reflection. As for diffusion they're probably 7" tall risers so won't really diffuse expect lower frequencies where we don't want diffusion.

[@sampoquette2557]

@@hometheatergurus gotcha! I checked with the mirror last night and couldn't see any reflections. So I'll stick with absorption only on the other wall. Thanks again!! (I have a feeling I'll be contacting you for a professional consult in the future!)

[@larryhazelwood5491]

use the mirror trick to see where to place panels.

[@hometheatergurus]

Well yeah that is one part of it covered in the video but you need to Know what goes where and why.

[@alvinchen3034]

Combo panel is what absorb and scatter panel combination?

[@Mike_v_E]

are combo panels the same as binary diffuser panels?

[@arvinmahendran8105]

Would thick curtains work for the back of the room for absorption if there’s no wall but a sliding glass door instead?

[@hometheatergurus]

It would be better than nothing. You can buy acoustic curtains which are thick heavy curtains that can go behind regular curtains to help. But they're really basically thick moving blankets which many diyers use. The more folds in the curtains the better. Now again this is not going to compete with proper panels but I understand we have to work with what we've got and that solution above will help a ton.

[@Snapps240]

How do we actually know where the lines are hitting? Is there a measurement or formula that can be used to determine exactly where the off access will hit?

[@hometheatergurus]

I cover this in the series but you'd use a mirror. When I do plans I find them with ray tracing.

[@dpockaj]

Great video as always Steve. This might be a stupid question. You keep referring to the panels as combo panels. Is there a difference between an absorption panel and a combo panel? I’m confused 🤷‍♂️

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks. It's covered in the episodes on treatment but yes a combo or combination panel does both difusion and absorption.

[@dhannu1982]

Hi Steve, loves your videos. Could you please suggest where I can buy good quality absorption panels which are not overly expensive.

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks. I have links in the description for different panels options. Absorption is pretty easy to diy which I do cover some in this video.

[@joelgonzalez8289]

So for a home theater with an open wall and good off axis speakers, would you recommend to use only absorption or combo panels?

[@hometheatergurus]

The video actually covers that exact scenario.

[@joelgonzalez8289]

@hometheatergurus I've watched all 4 of the videos multiple times and in particular the one where you spoke on 2 scenarios where you should absorb - 1) bad off axis speakers and 2) open wall on one side but it wasn't clear on the possibility of using combo panels as well for open wall with good off axis. Anyhow, I went ahead and added 4 alternating panels along the wall absorber/combo/absorber/combo. I figured I could absorb the vocals while creating some spaciousness to create some acoustic symmetry. Love and appreciate your videos Steven no one else has the content library on home theater like you do. You way of teaching with the use of visuals are super helpful as well. Thank you.

[@hometheatergurus]

Yeah you'd absorb as you have no reflection on the open side. Glad you're finding the channel useful!

[@CrochetNewsNetwork]

What is the name of speakers you did t like? Bose? I have b&w 805d3 hoping these are considered excellent speakers??

[@hometheatergurus]

It was long ago when i like many were tricked by excellence in Marketing. It was the Klipsch RF82 and RC62.

[@CrochetNewsNetwork]

@@hometheatergurus how do I reach you to hire for consultations and or on site evaluations ?

[@flynna123]

How do you calculate where on the wall the different reflection points actually are? I’ve heard to use the mirror/laser pointer method in the past, but not sure if that is the current go-to method.

[@flynna123]

Also - thanks for all of the effort you have put in on this channel - thanks! Keep me coming!

[@hometheatergurus]

@@flynna123 Thanks! As for finding reflection points I discuss it in the video. Yes a mirror works but make sure to watch the video as there are thinks to pay attention to.

[@flynna123]

Well crap I had been watching it pretty intently. Got up to let the dog out and to grab something to drink and didn’t pause it... I must have missed it! Thanks!

[@hometheatergurus]

@@flynna123 haha... Sounds like something I'd do.. :)

[@homecinemademo]

I still dont understand why you want to use the "green" combo panel? Why dont you want to absorb it?

[@hometheatergurus]

Because off axis can be good (depending on the reflection )when handled properly and can give you a much wider sound stage. It can take a room from good to WOW. It increases spaciousness and focus. This is explained in part 3.

[@764bastien]

Is it bad if you interchange the diffusers and absorption panels on the rear wall ,like diffusers behind the seat and absortion panels on the side of the rear wall?

[@hometheatergurus]

It would be better than nothing but straight diffusion behind then seats may or may not even clean up the vocals and they also need a little room to really disperse/diffuse well. The absorbtion on the rear wall is for clarity and to help with rear wall sbir if the absorption is thick enough. I personally wouldn't use difusion directly behind the seating area.

[@764bastien]

@@hometheatergurus Ok thanks!

[@tripleblackcuda8876]

Hi, great vid, realy informative. My left and right speakeras are inwall next to my projector screen, so they face straight outwards and are about 300mm from the side wall, will I need to place absorption pane?

[@hometheatergurus]

Some of their reflections you'll want absorption, some you'll want a combo or nothing. The videos will walk you through it.

[@tripleblackcuda8876]

@@hometheatergurus The videos?

[@pokerbarloahavia]

Will 2 inch Foam acoustic panels work for absorption or is it not as effective?

[@hometheatergurus]

There are some brands that have decent foam but they're expensive. Compare the specs as we cover in part 2 of the acoustic series.

[@JC-bl9bo]

Now this was interesting. I have that first room you pointed out that my right side of the room is open to the dining room. The left speaker even though perfectly calibrated always sounded just a tad louder or more pronounced and I never could understand exactly why. Now I know, I need absorbtion there. The back wall is another issue because my seats are directly up against the back wall and my surrounds are obviously right there too. Now I need to find decent not crazy expensive absorbtion foam. Any suggestions?

[@C--A]

Don't use foam on the side and back wall. Use acoustic mineral/rockwool.

[@JC-bl9bo]

@@C--A thank you, I appreciate the info.

[@igormord8636]

Treated my room with DIY panels with your usual bath towels (6-9 towels inside a 2ft by 4ft frame, about 2-3in depth). I like the sound in the theater, BUT, all my panels are about half a foot higher than where the tweeter is on the front speakers. Do the panels have to be on same height level as speakers, especially the ones right near them on the sides?

[@hometheatergurus]

They need to be controlling both tweeter and woofer reflections especially in 2 ways. The vocals are mostly in the woofers of most 2 ways.

[@igormord8636]

@@hometheatergurus i used the mirror reflection test and clearly my panels are 1-2 feet higher than the height of front L/R speakers. By the way ... for proper placement of the panels, does that mirror reflection test work or is there a certain measurement from speakers that you go by? Thanks.

[@hometheatergurus]

When seated the height of the mirror points will be down as low as the seating area. Mark the tweeter and woofer reflections and center the panel on the point between the two drivers reflections. If your panels are above the speakers they are just reducing room decay Not cleaning up the direct speaker reflections. Look at the video thumbnail for an example.

[@2DangeRuss4u]

I'm really very curious as to what speakers you were referencing as far as poor response

[@hometheatergurus]

Klipsch rc62

[@2DangeRuss4u]

Personally......... I never cared for them outside of their Heritage series 😉* Right now I'm working on treating my (Stereophonic Parlor of Bliss) two channel listening space and am wondering were to place a cloud. Would I use the same mirror trick ? @@hometheatergurus

[@hometheatergurus]

@@2DangeRuss4u agreed. The newer rp line however is good. Rf7 is good as well.

[@jimgeroul]

Whats your opinion on panels behind LR main speakers? do we need em? in my case i have bookshelf speakers. does bare wall help those or not?

[@hometheatergurus]

I discuss this exact placement around 3/4 into the video.

[@jimgeroul]

@@hometheatergurus lol yeah.. how i missed that.. i think i just skipped the exact part i wanted to hear! thanks!

[@hometheatergurus]

@@jimgeroul I can't say much I'm the world's worst at doing that. 😂

[@jimgeroul]

@@hometheatergurus i dint even know this SBIR existed.. i'm reading on it and waiting for your video! great vid as always!

[@hometheatergurus]

@@jimgeroul here's a great article on it arqen.com/acoustics-101/speaker-placement-boundary-interference/

[@timothystephen6147]

How about in a situation where mounting to the rear wall is impractical? Would you use free-standing absorption behind the seating?

[@hometheatergurus]

You could. Why is it impractical? Is the rear wall too far away?

[@timothystephen6147]

@@hometheatergurus it's about 8 feet back, but it's a bar. Shelves and cabinets, and things that rattle when the bass hits ;) Need to get some rubber mats on those shelves...

[@harta_1509]

Buddy what about defuser panels ? It or important or not for home theater ? Thanks

[@hometheatergurus]

That's covered in ep 23. Diffusion and combo

[@sabukumar3069]

Thanks for another great video ! What’s the best solution if I have curtains covering glass windows on one side of the room ? Speakers are good off axis . I’m guessing combo panels won’t work as curtains on the other side will absorb HF . Thanks

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks! Thin curtains are fine over combo panels. Theyll knock off some highs but the panels will still be effective.

[@sabukumar3069]

Just confirming that you meant combo panels on the glass , behind thin curtains would be effective even with curtains drawn ? All the best with your move ,man ! Really appreciate you taking the time to educate us , despite the pressures you may be having . Thanks

[@hometheatergurus]

@@sabukumar3069 thanks. And yes combo panels will work behind thin curtains so you understood correctly.

[@peterchang425]

Great episodes right from the first. You are definitely a GURU! I have 2x4 foot absorption panels. At what height on the side walls should they be placed? What about on the back wall behind the seats where you mentioned they should be horizontally placed?

[@hometheatergurus]

Just make make sure all the drivers producing anything 200 hz and up is covered at the reflection points. As for rhe rear wall you don't have to go horizontally but it does allow you to use less panels as it covers 8' of width using 2 standard panels.

[@peterchang425]

Thank you very much for your sound advice. Looking forward to your next episodes. Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

[@hometheatergurus]

@@peterchang425 Thanks Peter! Hope you have a Merry Christmas too!

[@budala1969]

I'm in the process of designing the acoustic treatment for my dedicated home theatre, and this series has been very informative. Thank you. One thing I didn't hear you mention though is bass traps. When I reached out to GIK for advice, they seem to put a lot of emphasis on that. What's your opinion on those?

[@hometheatergurus]

GIK is trying to make an sale. The most important think for bass is proper seating and sub placement. Bass traps are just a tool and don't fix issues. There are ways to fix and avoid the issues with placement. If you have wasted space like false walls yes you should use them as bass traps. Let no good space go to waste.

[@budala1969]

@@hometheatergurus I have a dedicated room, 18x14x8, with two rows of seating. They're advising me to put the bass traps in all corners and along the back wall.

[@derekvine5766]

Hi Steve first started watching your REW video and that was great. Went through most of these now and have a question. You mentioned posting a sub build, if the move is holding you up, do you have any forum posts about your sub builds I can see? I asked since I am starting my build now and was planning on 4 full marty's, if there is a better option I would love to see it.

[@hometheatergurus]

Thanks. I don't have a build thread on the subs. The Marty subs are great as they're just a ported sub and basically what anyone modeling a um18 ported would come up with in 5 minutes looking for the size to performance sweet spot. If you have the room it's a good option. However I'll be modeling with a slightly different goal of something that fits in a living room that isn't the size of a coffin but still performs way above it's cost but just doesn't go as low as a full marty which frankly is more than most need but as it's a hobby will all have different goals.

[@pb24dagrk]

I have DefTech 9060s which are bipolar and have rear firing drivers at -6dB...would you still not recommend front wall?

[@pb24dagrk]

Can I send you a pic of my living room? Lol

[@hometheatergurus]

@@pb24dagrk yours use the front wall to reflect back into the room. You definitely don't want to absorb the front wall as it's part of the speakers design.

[@pb24dagrk]

@@hometheatergurus so should I not worry? One side of my living room is open concept to the kitchen, while the other is a big window with faux wood blinds. My back wall is 4 feet behind my couch.

[@hometheatergurus]

@@pb24dagrk the video is about treating in room reflections of side walls and the rear wall not the front wall so everything in the video will pertain to you. You just need to be aware of where the extra reflection you have hits the side walls.