AudiogoN Forums: Guidelines for treating cathedral ceilings

Guidelines for treating cathedral ceilings

My listening room is 18' wide x 18.5' deep, with a cathedral ceiling symmetrically over the room.
I have done the 'standard' room treatments (absorption behind the speakers and listening seats, and absorption at the first reflection points on the side walls). Absorption is 2" thick Owens Corning 703 fiberglass.

However, I am still hearing a sharp slap echo when I clap my hands in the room. I am beginning to suspect some sort of ceiling or upper corner interaction. Is there any rule of thumb for where to first start with a treating a cathedral ceiling? I am a little bit surprised, since the ceiling is angled and does not present two parallel surfaces for sound to bounce off of.

The practical concern is some sibillance when playing certain CDs at high volumes (possibly exciting something in the room and exaggerating the treble?).

thanks in advance,
Bill

(I hope this drawing comes through OK- the A is the top of the ceiling, and the two S are the speakers).

.......................A
.................... /....\
................./.............\
............../...................\
.........../..........................\
...........|...........................|
...........|...........................|
...........|...........................|
...........|.....S...............S.....|
............ --------------------------

Gnobber (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

02-02-04

Responses (1-20 of 20)

Click title to read one, or click date to read all below it.

02-02-04 Michael greene of roomtune fame has products which fix this ... Mejames

02-02-04 Dumb question time - where are you standing when you slap yo ... Newbee

02-02-04: Flex
I don't agree with Newbee. Flutter echo makes a difference anywhere in the room, since sound reflects from all of the surfaces and combines into what reaches your ears.

The source of flutter echo is usually easy to locate. If you walk carefully around clapping, you may pinpoint the exact place where it begins and ends. Open hallways, or reflections between ceiling edges and untreated hardwood floors are typical sources. You can check floor-ceiling bounces by putting thick towels or rugs down on the floor and see if that kills it.

In my setup, I've found that foams and absorbers on the ceiling can do too much absorbing. Diffusors at either reflection point work equally well and, in fact, better than absorbers. So you might experiment with RPG or other diffusors, as well as rugs, bookcases and the like when you identify the source.
Flex (Threads | Answers | This Thread)

02-02-04 One other possibility for your room shape might be reflectio ... Flex

02-02-04 To answer newbee's question, i get the flutter echo pretty m ... Gnobber

02-02-04 I'm not sure i have a solution, but i have an experience to ... Newbee

02-03-04 i recently have fixed a room such as the one you describe.y ... Theaudiotweak

02-03-04 Its the upper corners of the room where the walls meet the c ... Mejames

02-03-04 Pzc controllers do not have enough surface area to even budg ... Theaudiotweak

02-23-04 Theaudiotweak, it looks like you were right on with your su ... Gnobber

02-24-04 gnobber, did you mean that your panels are 18 ' wide? im ex ... Cmpromo

02-24-04 The panel looks something like a roof truss- 18' wide, beca ... Gnobber

02-24-04 So i would treat the whole legnth from the bottom of the cei ... Cmpromo

02-24-04 Mr.promo you need the sonic surfboards..tom Theaudiotweak

02-24-04 Hehe,thats good. dont say the s word. you might get into ano ... Cmpromo

02-26-04 Chris i am not kidding..they helped my dunlavys and all that ... Theaudiotweak

02-26-04 I know you're not. i just thought your alternate name for th ... Cmpromo

11-04-04 I've read all your suggestions and i'm impressed- very good ... tsondgroth@

11-05-04 My advice would be to start with some inexpensive foam panel ... Gnobber

11-07-04 I have left over carded sheeps wool that i used as part of a ... Theaudiotweak