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Room treatment with acoustic panels

Most folks on here consider this a no-brainer as far as it being necessary but people new to the hobby may wonder if it’s worth the expense. YES! 

I never used them before because I knew nothing about them. With my newly created system I figured I would give them a shot so I’ve been getting a lot of help and advice with them from GIK Acoustics.

I ordered bass traps for the corners and side walls. I also  bought the panels that go on the side walls for the "first reflection" spots and the panels that mount to the ceiling. 

Not everything has arrived yet but yesterday I started placing some of the side wall panels. 

Even just temporarily resting on blocks of wood while placement is finalized, the difference is extremely and immediately noticeable. Fuller, cleaner sound that makes the speakers disappear. 

Boy, I can’t wait to get everything installed! If you’re new at this and think your gear already sounds good, treat the room anyways. You will love the difference.

GIK Acoustics will refund your money if you don’t. Probably something they’ve never had to worry about I’m sure. 

If it is of help to anybody, here’s everything I’ve ordered from GIK:

 
 
 
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SoundBlocks™ - Stack - Free Stand / Black

Free Stand / Black

  • Pattern: Wavy Leaves
  • Finish: Walnut

 

Quantity: 1
Total: $749.00
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Amplitude™ Corner Bass Traps - Standard / Black

Standard / Black

  • Pattern: Wavy Leaves
  • Finish: Walnut

 

Quantity: 1
Total: $299.00
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Amplitude™ Corner Bass Traps - Demi / Black

Demi / Black

  • Pattern: Wavy Leaves
  • Finish: Walnut

 

Quantity: 1
Total: $229.00
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Classic Bass Trap Panels - 100Hz / Rectangle / Black

100Hz / Rectangle / Black

Quantity: 4
Total: $109.00
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Amplitude™ Bass Trap Panels - 100Hz / Narrow / Black

100Hz / Narrow / Black

  • Pattern: Wavy Leaves
  • Finish: Walnut

 

Quantity: 6
Total: $129.00
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FlexRange® Acoustic Panels - Rectangle / White / Full Range

Rectangle / White / Full Range

Quantity: 3
Total: $99.00
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Ceiling Cloud Brackets - White

White

Quantity: 3
Total: $19.00
toddsyr
tcutter's avatar
tcutter
395 posts
 

@toddsyr

You have learned well, Grasshopper!

wolf_garcia
6,892 posts
 

My main room is 45 by 30 or so with 20’ ceilings (canted in on the top), large stone fireplace on the long wall with some french like windows floor to ceiling on the other wall, a loft on one end with my hifi rig under it on the "short" wall (more tall "french" windows). Horn speakers (with a couple of REL subs helping out) with my earballs maybe 9’ from them. Furniture, book cases, CD racks, artwork, electric guitars on the wall (acoustics protected in their cases) vinyl in a tall rack, blah blah. When we moved here a few years ago I thought the room would echo and just be a mess. It’s not. I guess it sounds like a room of some sort but music sounds great all over it...even in the loft. Tube or SS Class A amps, and astonishingly resolving sound free of "room treatment" or DSP or anything but engaging my Loki Max from time to time. I vary the level of my subs. Under the loft with the rig the bass can be extreme but that’s not my serious listening zone, and it’s better for dancing anyway. No "treatment" for me except cleaning the wax outta my ears. Does that count?

tuberist
1,004 posts
 

I think people Skip setting up the room acoustics correctly because they don’t really know how to listen but then they wonder later why the base sounds booming or the highs are accentuated or things like that

nd1der's avatar
nd1der
51 posts
 

I am trying to get a consultation with GIK. They have an online form that you can fill out, attach floor plans, photos, etc. But, when you hit SUBMIT, nothing happens. Has anyone else had this problem?

kevemaher's avatar
kevemaher
408 posts
 

The first thing to evaluate before you get traps, before you undertake any kind of room treatment is the response of the room measured at your listening position.

The spectrum that REW creates will graphically inform you of the room modal frequencies and the room's response at your listening position.

Number and placement of traps should be guided by the frequency spectrum as it responds to placement of traps.

Corner traps are a necessity. GIK makes acceptable ones. But the traps from "Real Traps" are made better (no veneer over particle board) and perform better. Real Traps prices are competitive. 

Also, the Real Traps website is chock full of technical advice, including third party measurements of the performance of their traps. Does GIK provide the same?

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