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What order?

All, I am pretty sure I know what direction to go, looking for some additional input. 

I am look at making 2 improvements to my living/man cave/ entertaining room.  
- Dirac
- acoustic panels.  

I am running b&w 800s and a pair of rythmik f15hp subs for "2" channel, for HT includes htm1d and sides/rears in the ceiling. 

Thru the normal home improvement jouney, I recently purchased some added seating that happen to get setup as a buffer in first reflection point along the left and right side of the room and i was BLOWN away by the difference in response and impact. The chairs really cut down on reflections and the experience was much more powerful.  For reference, the rooom is 10k ft^3 (yes i know not optimal) just means using more gear.  

Next step in the journey, which comes first?  Dirac then additional acoustic panels or panels followed by dirac.  Even though it will be itteratice, what would "you" start with and why?  
robert_gi
10 responses Add your response
gdnrbob
4,409 posts
 
Sound panels/acoustic treatment first. IMHO.
B
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
YES.

Also get yourself a copy of the Master Handbook of Acoustics and read twice...


erik_squires
15,662 posts
 
Acoustic tuning, but rather than try to DIY it I strongly suggest you call GIK Acoustics. They have places you can submit fotos and get advice. Great products and very knowledgeable staff.

Then try Dirac.
foey
21 posts
 
I noticed  judging by the virtual systems that quite a few  people spend a lot money on accoustic panels in serious high end systems yet they have one solidarity arm chair?? 

I say fill  ones room with decent sofa or extra chairs & book shelves or shelves with cds & lps .  Make it socialable & comfy.

Listening to music should be fun not an experiment in sonic retrieval .

Good luck
erik_squires
15,662 posts
 
As I've posted elsewhere, you can experiment with blankets and pillows. Throw them on the floor or up on the walls , especially between and behind your speakers. This is a cheap experiment which will reveal the value.

I think panels and bass traps are for all levels of systems. Going without but spending money on power cords is ridiculous to me in terms of scale.

Best,

E
schubert
7,386 posts
 
I put a blanket over TV and put only canvas pictures on my walls .
Also, believe it or not, turning off your wi-fi can help .
danoroo
239 posts
 
Not too long ago I would automatically suggest acoustic treatments then digital correction later.  But, after hearing the effects that Dirac Live has on the sound quality of my system I'm not so sure.  Dirac Live can do things for time and phase alignment that physical acoustic treatments can never do. Unless the listening room is really live the Dirac might be the right choice.  If you add acoustic treatments later you will need to create new filters. 
goose
668 posts
 

Hmmm,  I would work on the room acoustics first.  That doesn't necessarily mean buying all the acoustic treatments (panels).  Lets face it most of the sites what to sell you panels.  I would get some corner bass traps and treat the first reflection points on the walls.  I think you can overdo it with acoustic panels and the room gets too dead.  I like diffusion rather than an overabundance of panels.  After the room is as good as you can get it, Dirac may be applied.  Just my two cents.

brotw
103 posts
 
I've had really good luck with Dirac. Incredible improvements in focus, imaging and tightening up the bass. All this for $500 with mic.

My next project is buying a few aborber traps, panels for first reflection and some diffusers. My guess is that Dirac goes to another level when the most extreme room modes are quelled. Think limited taps (fourier coefficients) on the Dirac FIR filter generator. A smoother correction transfer function target much easier to closely match with non-infinite tap filters.
willemj
1,036 posts
 
I think one needs to distinguish between frequencies above the Schroeder frequency and those below, since the methods will have to be different. For frequencies above, damping material is essential, but such damping can hopefully be achieved by less visually invase means. For those below the Schroeder frequency I have found that equalization works very well in larger rooms. I for one do not want huge bass traps in my interior. I have had great success with an Antimode 8033 equalizing my sub, and will add a second sub for even smoother results.
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