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Room Acoustics - Trying the ZR Acoustics Panels

With the pandemic keeping me in the house much more than I'd like, I decided to remove, replace, retry, and validate all of the various tweaks (including acoustical treatments) I've added to my system/listening room over the years. My conclusion as a result of doing this over many months was that room acoustics was the weakest link. The sound is much more natural and dynamic with all of the RPG BAD panels you see in my listening room photo on the walls and ceiling, but I still hear too much reflected sound at the listening position This is particularly true at higher volume levels. When I replaced the two BAD combination panels behind the listening seat with absorbing panels the reflections vanished but the room sounded completely dead. Note that I do not have any obvious bass mode issues and have not tried traditional bass traps because of the space they take up.
So I decided to try the DHDI ZR Acoustics panels on the wall behind the speakers (initially). The two photos are of one of the ZR panels I just received. I was surprised to see how complex and intricately "carved" they are (see the closeup photo). I have not seen any scientific studies that prove or disprove the "Quantum Acoustics" claims behind the design of these panels. My decision to try them was a function of the large and growing number of well known recording studios and mastering labs that are using them (see: https://deltahdesign.com/portfolio/). My layman's understanding of the science is that the many tiny non-parallel surfaces that you can see in the photo below essentially diffuse air at the molecular level, preventing the formation of reflected sound waves. I don't have to know if the science behind them is 100% accurate or not. There are many other tweaks we can hear working but can't explain the science behind. If my ears tell me that they work that will be enough for me. I will post the results of my experience with these panels. 


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Showing 1 response by mahgister

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mahgister
12,527 posts
 
I made my own acoustical treatment and devices for peanuts cost.... the key factor is listening experiments( 2 years in my case but it was fun)

The results are complete transformation of the performance of my audio system....

NO single design panel is the key solution by itself especially in small room with irregular geometry and topology....If they cost thousand dollars forget them....

But who has enough faith and trust in his own ears to listen and try homemade solutions?

Asking the question is answering it.... :)

To be honest tough, it takes a room dedicated to my audio system only and the esthetic aspect of my devices are not very good.....But the final S.Q. is out of this world and there is no comparison between before and after my acoustical passive treatment and my active acoustical controls devices ( non electronical)....

The system is so good that upgrading a component makes no sense anymore.... Not because my components are the best there is, not at all, they are only good but rightfully embedded and that makes all the difference in the world.....


My best to all....
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