Which acoustic panels should you buy? GIK Acoustics vs Primeacoustic

[@mikeuk4130]

I've just started on my listening room using GiK Europe; I'm a novice room-treater in England. Communications with the German office team very good and in perfect English. They were very patient with me. I started with front corner bass traps. They work really well and look good. GiK offer a great range of products, colours, styles and finishes. To answer your first real criticism, I received a comprehensive booklet detailing all the fixings and methods available. Delivery from the UK factory only took about two weeks, slowed down by Covid-19. I will happily buy more from GiK using their excellent website and KZbin tutorials. Hope this helps anyone watching your video.

[@ManchesterMusic]

Happy you had such a positive experience!

[@fransvanhofwegen7414]

I am currently in contact with one of their acoustic coaches. Very pleasant and knowledgeable. Will definitely be buying from GIK.

[@tk380514]

I have GIK tri traps, 244 and 242 panels in my listening room with Stairville Curtains (500g/m²), using REW measurements in my empty room as a bassline, GIK solved every main issue i found and even dealt with the room modes to a big degree.

[@andynonimuss6298]

I own several GIK impression series panels and bass traps. They work and they are awesome! I agree, I've never seen any DIY panels that look professional.

[@officialdiomer]

I had my friend build me 48x24x4inch frames, and I bought acoustic cotton batts, a staple gun, and faux suede leather from Joann. If you wrap + staple them tight, they'll look professional.

[@LucaAnamaria]

This was such a thorough, comprehensive, and honest review. Thank you for posting!

[@ManchesterMusic]

Thanks for the kind words Luca!

[@EmixamGamer]

Thank you for your help. I'm trying to get some acoustic treatment myself and all I can say is that it is such a hassle to get right. I can go on three websites and have three different opinions, watch two videos and they will contradict each other.. I keep going back and forth between blog articles, videos etc... comparing different options. It's really exhausting isn't it? I've been trying to get it right for years (literally) but damn I still can't wrap my head around it perfectly. Also, this stuff is so expensive that you have to get it right on the first time. If I buy for £500 of acoustic treatment and it comes out as not working well in my room, I just wasted my 500 pounds for nothing, which I can't afford.. Anyways, I'm making it through thanks to videos like yours. Thank you again for it all.

[@GameGuideClassic]

I know this comment is a month ago, but I'd recommend caution before you buy, especially if your not sure what you want. Your room dimensions will play a huge role in what you should treat first. In most North American home, ceiling height is 8 feet, which can create annoying standing waves and a resonance that makes my skin crawl. Compounded with smaller room dimensions it's further boosted...nearly 15dB. So, for me that had to be treated first and foremost and no 4" panel is going to cut it when dealing with frequencies that low. You need serious treatment 12" or thicker. And that's really the biggest rub, there is a ton of misinformation and cryptic descriptions when it comes to this stuff because most don't understand the science behind it. A 4, 5 or 6 inch panel is not a bass trap, though a lot are advertised as it. Purchasing them and hoping for a smooth low end isn't feasible. If your serious about any sort of absorption then get a microphone and REW and do some room analysis first. That will tell you where the problems lie. They are very room specific and many, many factor influence it. As a general rule of thumb, if you get the lower frequencies in line, the rest is easy or many not need much treatment. Lastly, purchasing 1 or 2 panels isn't going to make a dent in any acoustic problem. Heck, 5 or 6 won't either. At a minimum, most rooms need 2x 2'4'x4" panels on each side wall (first reflection point for both speakers), 2 to 4 on the ceiling (2" panels are a waste on the ceiling, most homes have very strong reflections off them because of speaker height), 2 or 4 on the front wall and 2 on the rear. That doesn't include at least 2 corners floor to ceiling 12" bass traps. Small room acoustics require heavy treatment. This is for a room 11.5x9.5x8. In NA that's a lot of what we get for home offices and children's bedrooms.

[@jcbolomey4608]

Thanks for the honest review. Let me know if you're ever in Vancouver, I'll give you a tour of our facility.

[@danielpicard3994]

I’m considering the same alternatives and found your video very informative. I live in Montreal and will most probably go for the Primacoustic’ set from Studio Economik. Thanks.

[@ManchesterMusic]

Glad it was helpful! Studio Economik was really smooth to order from too, great folks.

[@ericrobertsmusic]

Really valuable information on my search for how to put up first round of acoustic treatment. Primacoustic and GIK are the two I’ve been looking at so this is exactly the type of shootout info I was looking for. Thanks!

[@ManchesterMusic]

Thanks man. And good luck.

[@GameGuideClassic]

I have tried panels from 2 different companies: GIK Acoustics and ATS Acoustics. I had ordered 4x 4'x'2'4" panels from ATS and from order to door step the process took 1 week. When it came to ordering some 12" deep corner bass traps, I figured I'd go with ATS. Unfortunately, ATS shipping with crazy. 2 traps from chicago to jersey was going to cost $180 to ship. I needed 1 trap cut to 46", and for some reason that one was going to cost 30 bucks more to ship? So, I decided, to give GIK a try as I've seen their videos on youtube. Options are plentiful and the prices comparable. The only difference was their shipping was only $65 to ship both traps. Great! Unfortunately, the lead time on the orders is long. If you want them in a hurry, then you'd better go elsewhere. After an initial e-mail of a 2 week lead time, that quickly turned into 4. Now the extra in shipping would have been worth it to have them 3 weeks easier. At the end of the day, compromises have to be made, I suppose. Both companies make quality products, but to me, I'd rather pay to have the items quicker and the lead time more honest in the e-mail. Waiting 2 weeks to tell me it will be another 2 was not cool and I probably wouldn't do business with them again.

[@jrep88]

GIK delivery times are lacking. I live in the States and still haven’t received my panels. It’s been over 10 weeks.

[@ManchesterMusic]

Yeah I feel you. Try emailing them. They were very kind and communicative with me.

[@ilikemyrealname]

Same here. The wait got too long to continue to justify. I wound up asking for a refund and joining Jesco’s course on treatment to build my own. Not exactly what I wanted to do but I needed to navigate around the material shortage issue plaguing GIK. Plus side is I now have a decent understanding on treating small rooms properly and I could later see myself using that as another service to offer. Not to mention the price difference is actually jaw dropping. One door closes, another opens, so they say. One thing to note, Mike and the rest of GIK were nothing but kind and informative throughout the entire process. Did your panels arrive yet, and if so, how long did it take total from payment to delivery?

[@jrep88]

@@ilikemyrealname I think it was between 11 and 12 weeks. My wife got me the combo panels so it was something I didn’t want to DYI like the majority in my home theater. You are right they were very nice and they look and perform very well. No issues with the products! We ordered a few non standard panels from Acoustimac and they shipped within days.

[@thehypnotist9750]

I've been waiting on my order since July. I got an email from them today that it will take at least another 4 - 8 weeks to ship... About a month ago they said 2 weeks, then after 2 weeks they said another 2 weeks. Now they say 8 weeks??? It's ridiculous.

[@dougleydorite]

@@thehypnotist9750 have you called them and emailed them? It’s a long wait for sure but it’s so worth it

[@ruthbroadway]

This is a great comparison, very detailed & informative especially as a fellow Canadian. Thanks for making this!

[@ManchesterMusic]

My pleasure

[@daviddln1987]

Thanks Geoff. Always a pleasure to watch your videos.

[@ManchesterMusic]

Glad you like them!

[@SolKnopfMusic]

Outstanding video...this was a huge help!

[@michaellorin8701]

Thanks for being such a clear communicator. It's a rarity today.

[@SundayVibesmusic]

Thankfully I’m close to Atlanta..hopefully it doesn’t take forever..it’s suppose to ship this week 🫣

[@CrochetNewsNetwork]

I just move to outside Atlanta. How did the GIK panels work out for you now that you’ve had them for awhile? I’m working on a dedicated home theater room and two track listening room

[@SundayVibesmusic]

@@CrochetNewsNetwork honestly as someone who isn’t a professional sound engineer I’m sure my placement of my panels are not the ideal location. Because of the spacing of my room I had to place them on the sides because I have no wall space behind me. With that being said for my specific needs I feel it works great. It’s a small room and the sound was decent already. The panels add just a little more level of professionalism to my studio.

[@elliotthall5543]

Good info. The onlyn think I would add is that, (from a totally different industry) Canada makes it EXTREMELY expensive, slow and difficult to ship anything of any value into Canada from the U.S.. Seriously, it's a nightmare. Thanks for the info.

[@ManchesterMusic]

Word. Shipping here (at the time) took ages and yes the duties and COD really messed up the experience. It is what it is. I wasn’t thrilled about it.

[@18i]

Thanks for the video, exactly what i was looking for!! wanted to get some GIK Acoustics but for everything i was looking for.. shipping climbed up to 600usd! which is pretty crazy! Im also in Canada, nevermind the duty free and crap which im sure the postal service will definitly take their cut, I think i will end up with mostly Primacoustic's from studioeconomik for the bulk of panels and a handful of GIK to enrich the look same as you did! thanks man

[@wesleyholmes]

very thorough, informative and insightful.. thx and happy new year!

Primeacoustic London 8 cuts down on reverb only nominally. Its okay for a podcaster or a home theater or maybe music, but not for voiceover. I will make up for it with other treatment

[@davidasteed]

The "leaves" look is really nice. The challenge I have is "pattern duplication", having the same pattern all over the room

[@thisdyingsoul76]

I'm setting up a music room in my basement that is going to be a combination practice room, recording and mixing station. I realize I will probably want a combination of diffusion and sound absorption at strategic areas and will want to leave some untreated space so my recordings have some natural nuances of the space. I know I will need bass traps in the corners. For wall panels, would diffusion be the ideal treatment at reflection points relative to my listening position when mixing?

[@Kaleb_Weise]

Thank-you for the perspective. ^^

[@Vambibuda]

How thick are your panels?

[@ManchesterMusic]

My primeacoustics vary between 2” and 1”. The GIK are 4”.

[@Rrroarr]

great great video, one thing that GIK has is the freestanding panels or feet for when you can't hang them for some reason

[@itsmikebotkin]

Great comparison! Currently in the market for treatment in my space. Recently started recording content using a shotgun and it made me really notice the reflection in my space compared to my dynamic mic. Apparently Amazon specials aren’t enough to do the job all around 🤣

[@BrunoBeltran]

I was starting to regret not going GIK for the extra thickness and design, but hearing your take and everyone's shipping issues really made me feel better! I'll probably end up the same as you, eventually putting in a GIK order, but for now the prime acoustic panels being on Amazon prime make them the no brainer. Something is better than nothing!

[@kalyanrajsista]

I am from Ottawa and planning to get primacoustic panels. Can I see them anywhere before I can buy?

[@ManchesterMusic]

Good question. Long and Macquade might have some in store for your to view. I’m not 100% sure on that though, best to call in advance. I’m happy to provide anymore info you need as well.

[@freddymiguelponce]

First time in your channel. Great video! Thank you! Super helpful

[@callmetarif]

thanks just ordered exactly the same gik you have behind you in the video, curious how long they'll take to ship

[@tinylil]

Soooo helpful! Thank you!

[@ManchesterMusic]

Glad it helped you out!

[@tb6265]

that´s amazing. Great video. What color are you panels? Is the wood beech or maple? THANK YOU

[@ManchesterMusic]

I believe they’re the Blonde which are now discontinued

[@parkman8595]

1 or 2", especially in a small room, is *way* too thin. You're going to get such little low-end absorption, it'll be tragic. In a small room, you want to put as many bass traps as you possibly can. By covering your walls in 1 or 2" panels, you're wasting potential space you could be using to absorb lower frequencies with thicker panels.

[@ManchesterMusic]

I'm working on it!

[@parkman8595]

@@ManchesterMusic best of luck on your journey! Just didn't want you to miss out on a controlled midrange and low-end. Sometimes it's hard to filter through the misinformation and people can think even the little foam panels or egg cartons are what they need for good sound and mixing. Anyway, all the best mate!

[@HollandProductions_CA]

Hey Jeff are both brands formaldehyde free? I know I can purchase 24x48x2 panels here in Ontario for about $80 each that look great and do a great job with OC703 as the semirigid high density fiber. Problem is I was having some lung and breathing issues after covering my room. Sounded great but at what cost. Anyhow just wondering if you considered this?

[@ManchesterMusic]

Hey there Matrix dude. I have no idea…send them an email?

[@FullContactDrummer]

Have you done any testing of the home made vs. purchased panels? I'm considering making my own, but out of CFAB cellulose panels. Those are basically recycled cotton panels.

[@ManchesterMusic]

I have, to an extent. In older videos you'll notice some ugly slabs I made myself. Honestly, don't overlook self-made panels. If you have the capacity and interest in building them I think you'll be pleased with the results. And luckily there's so many great resources online to build your own, I'm sure you'll find them just fine.

[@MuzixMaker]

Very informative and clear presentation.

[@ManchesterMusic]

Thanks very much, TC.

[@Seedlinux]

this video is super helpful, thanks a lot! Question: are fiber glass panels safe? I am thinking to go for primacoustic London kit, but I am concerned about possible healh issues since I'll be stay in in the room for hours.

[@garyshirinian]

Thx for sharing. I just got London 10 and they are good. But I might build my own bass traps. I can't afford after going through Covit 19. What do you think of UA Acoustics. They use foam and I'm skeptical with foam.

[@ManchesterMusic]

Hey there. Haven’t tried UA acoustics yet but maybe down the line?

[@garyshirinian]

@@ManchesterMusic thx for replying.

[@Oneness100]

Why do you have your desk right up against the front wall? You should pull it out from the wall a few feet.

[@ManchesterMusic]

It’s 3 feet away, friend.

[@Oneness100]

@@ManchesterMusic Good, the video shows them and it looks like they are right up against the wall.. :-)

[@ManchesterMusic]

Take it from me. A person. In that very room. Thanks for your comment.

[@Oneness100]

@@ManchesterMusic It was just what it appeared in the video… I know a lot of people tend to put their desk/speaker right up against the wall, but as long as it's pulled out a few feet, you're good to go. I just do get really concerned when companies sell these acoustic panels with the front panel with those designs in them and they sell them as providing diffusion. It's really a misleading marketing ploy since the only type of diffusor product that will actually produce a true diffused sound field are Quadratic, and they are calculated for different frequency ranges.. I know the panels you are using look cool, but from a scientific standpoint, they aren't diffusing the sound field at all. It would be better to use Quadratic and obviously picking the right Prime Diffusor, having the right distance and enough to create a true diffused sound field is what is critical and should sound better.

[@ManchesterMusic]

Thanks for your comment!

[@JuanJose-wt5yj]

Thanks for the video. Do you have measurements with Room EQ wizard for example? It is to see the acoustics of your room. Written with translator. Greetings

[@ManchesterMusic]

For my room? I don’t have them handy, no. If you’re looking for a tool yourself Primeacoustic has a 3D room modeller on their website which is very useful.

[@evolutionmusicproductions]

Anyone know where I can find a good guide to making my own?

[@ManchesterMusic]

There’s heaps and heaps of videos online that offer step by step guides.

[@Proper49er]

16” vs 24” on center, the manufacturers do t know that spec.

[@decaf77]

Very informative review thank you, new sub!

[@ManchesterMusic]

Thanks for the sub!

[@evanwanous2466]

How do these compare to ATS?

[@ManchesterMusic]

Haven’t heard of them? Any good?

[@parkman8595]

I have both GIK and ATS, and both are certainly very effective. But I do think the GIK are a bit better of a value when it comes to absorption per dollar. The GIK have a slight air gap behind the panels which help them absorb a little lower, but the ATS panels are really well made and feel sturdier. Also, the corner bass traps from ATS are really nice. Regardless of which you choose, I would *definitely* recommend at least 4" panels.

[@onajeofficialmusic]

Excellent! Thank you.

[@ManchesterMusic]

Thank you!

[@adamhaymanmusic]

acoustimac is my go-to

[@ypmusixofficialchannel]

HEY HOW MUCH WILL YOU SALE ME THE BATTS YOU NOT GONE USE I NEED THEM ASAP

[@ManchesterMusic]

Batts?

[@ypmusixofficialchannel]

@@ManchesterMusic the rockwool you said you had put up

[@ManchesterMusic]

Do you live in Ottawa

[@ypmusixofficialchannel]

@@ManchesterMusic DALLAS TX UNITED STATES

[@sekritskworl-sekrit_studios]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@ManchesterMusic]

Thanks!

[@MrBonger88]

Please correct me if I’m wrong but it looks like Primeacoustic has much better solutions for bass management with their diaphragmatic absorbers. I don’t think GIK has anything like that

[@lrama6999]

You're wrong plus the GIK Solutions actually work ;)

[@MrBonger88]

@@lrama6999 so you’re saying that tuned diaphragmatic absorption is inferior to limp mass absorption. Please explain why. Dennis from Acoustic Fields and other professionals seem to think otherwise.

[@lrama6999]

@@MrBonger88 Dennis is a conman that enjoys little respect in the Industry for all the wrong claims he makes and his terrible products. What I’m saying is gik has tuned bass traps and also that you still need proper broad band bass trapping it’s not an either or question!

[@lrama6999]

@@MrBonger88 professionals would not discuss if one is inferior both serve different purposes and have pros and cons, even making this a point of discussion shows little to no knowledge of the matter.

[@lrama6999]

@@MrBonger88 acousticfields.com//wp-content/uploads/2012/01/ACDA-10.pdf this for example is absolute crap it’s a joke if anything. 1000$ a piece lol watch out who you trust

[@thehypnotist9750]

Don't order from GIK unless you're willing to wait half a year (not exaggerating)

[@MrTheDestro]

Honestly just trying to get a hold of them is a headache in itself

[@C--A]

What country are you from? I'm from the UK and only waited 3 weeks for my GIK Acoustics acoustic panels. And that was at the height of covid during the lockdowns.

[@srupp9271]

That's just me but for me you left the most important thing out measurement before and after.

[@ManchesterMusic]

I understand. The difference between no and some/lots of treatment is dramatic in the room. And hopefully the necessity of treatment will be apparent to folks on this channel. The focus of the video was to compare the brands.

[@Oneness100]

Compare Acoutic Fields. I prefer that brand, I feel they offer superior products, but superior advice on what to use.. Also, they have DIY build plans to make your own low frequency acoustic absorption and quadratic diffusors for those with skills to build your own and to save money, but get superior sound quality..

[@ManchesterMusic]

I'll keep an eye out!

[@Oneness100]

​@@lrama6999 Well, that was a word salad comment if I've ever seen one. Based on what evidence? Please provide proof that what you're saying is truthful and has validity to it. How is what Acoustic Fields doing "wrong science" Please PROVE that. Ineffective? Again, please PROVE that. Overpriced? That just means YOU can't afford it. That's subjective based on one's bank account. Yes, their products are expensive, but they are one of the only or the few that ship their larger heavier units in large wooden shipping crates, which is EXPENSIVE packaging for shipping a product. It's vastly more expensive than cardboard boxes like most products are shipped in. So they do have to add the cost of the expensive wooden shipping crates that's included in the price of the units. That's why they prefer to ship multiple units on one larger container. Their larger heavier products get shipped by a cargo carrier due to the size and weight. Also, please provide me with a video of a customer that's paid money for Acoustic Fields room treatment that can validate that they spent the money, weren't happy with the results and then replaced everything with something cheaper that performed better. PLEASE provide me with someone that was a paying customer of Acoustic Fields that switched to a lower priced product that they are happier with. if you can't, then please don't make up fiction. Acoustic Fields has testimony on their website with plenty of people that bought other companies products using other materials that weren't happy and then replaced those other products with Acoustic Fields and they have gone public with how they are happier with the Acoustic Fields products than the other products they replaced. Now, I have been to two rooms that used their products and I spent a day at one, and 5 days at the other listening to the rooms. Each time, I was blown away with the neutralness, the attack, decay, note and instrument separation, etc. and I've NEVER been in another "small" room that came close. So, I do have first hand experience.. Caveat. No, I don't work for the company, I do not get paid to post comments on the products, but they are one brand that I have found to be head and shoulders above the others I have either used/owned, or have first hand experience with.. So, what's YOUR story?

[@jacobsmith1877]

Acoustic Fields is way expensive and that guy is kind of a crackpot

[@Oneness100]

​@@jacobsmith1877 their products are expensive, because they are expensive to mfg. and they get shipped in wooden crates that can handle large heavy cabinets. You can't do what their products are doing without having a deep, heavy and expensive cabinet. At least he sells the build plans for $40 and you can make them yourself and hopefully save a few hundred per cabinet, plus shipping/tax. SO, you do have that option, you just have to buy the carbon from them and you have to have the skillet, equipment and time to cut the pieces and assemble them yourself. Which some people are doing. But their products do perform better than anything else on the market. I think he's a freaking genius. I've also talked with other people I know with a physics background that agree with me. What he's doing is genius and you just don't understand, that's all.. Maybe if you took some time to listen to a room with his products then you might understand.

[@neaumusic]

quantity over quantity nailed it

[@MuzdokOfficial]

studio economik sell crazy expensive high gear.

[@jeffgrayson7639]

GIK for me

[@sincerelymace]

first time here... Was expecting a Manchester, UK accent 😂

[@ManchesterMusic]

lol I know.

[@matsudakodo]

Actually GIK uses ECOSE

[@johnzuker]

Very informative! Thanks!

[@ManchesterMusic]

No worries. Thank you!

[@imcymk]

Great review. Rrally helpful to be honest. My only qualm would be with your request for paper instructions..as annoying as going online is avoiding paper packaging as much as possible is generally a much better move ecologically. As an alternative Maybe they could print a QR code on the packaging so send you to a video /pdf with detailed instructions

[@ManchesterMusic]

This is a great call out. A video would have been great. I have to say though: when building something it's really advantageous = for me personally - to have a big, stationary piece of paper (I do not own an iPad) that you can reference. It's one of the only situations I see a paper instructional tool as useful, otherwise, yeah I'll take a PDF any day.

[@Dannys.channel]

For the amount of money you spend the info I need isn’t available.

[@ManchesterMusic]

Say more?

[@TranceHeed]

GIK Bass traps are half the price of PA

[@halcyo]

Sucks for RealTraps, cuz they were the first company to really make these for sale. Both these companies are kinda copycats.

[@ManchesterMusic]

I’ll have to check them out! Wait times were nuts with GIK so I’m looking for alternatives.

[@davidcopeland5409]

Blue frog audio in uk much better value

[@gourabshow3993]

🙇👍

[@Dannys.channel]

Lol