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

For the record (!)...I've spent more time than most in "treated" spaces with recording, mixing, and hanging about since the 60s. I understand "dry" rooms, anechoic chambers, sound absorbing panels, bass traps, etc., but I do prefer (for home listening) a room sound. My personal esthetic dictates the feel of a room, and the sweet spot where I sit with efficient horns focusing the sound at my head is absolutely not effected by the room in even the slightest meaningful way. Period. My careful sub placement adheres to what I like...why wouldn't it? Sound moves around the room in interesting ways and simply never sounds improper tonally...if it did I'd move the subs or mains. I can stand in a second floor alcove looking down on the horns on the far side of the room and the sound of the system is amazing up there. Its all good, so to speak, so you can stick your panels up in your empty shipping container or apply DSP to your man cave all you want and I simply hope you get even a fraction of the enjoyment I get from my glorious room.

@wolf_garcia 

You are fortunate that your room is so large that reflective surfaces are far enough away that the reflected sound waves don't significantly interfere with the initial speaker signal. For those of us in more modest digs, acoustic treatment is beneficial. 

The timing of this post is great.  I reached out to GIK two weeks ago for a "free consultation".  After a few days I got a response but it was totally generic and not useful at all.  I had provided my speaker type and room dimensions, as requested, and even provided them with four hi-res photos of my listening room from all four walls/sides so they could see the room layout and some challenges I have with a sliding glass door and a large brick fireplace.  The room "model" they sent back looked nothing like my room and their recommended products and placements would not have worked at all with my room layout (which they would have known if they had bothered to look at my photos).  Has anyone else had a similar bad experience/response?  And for those of you who were happy with GIK, what sort of detailed room layout and recommendations did they provide to you?  Thanks!

@cshenon My room model they provided looks exactly like the room we have, right down to the small stand between the wing chairs. Maybe it's who you dealt with? I'm working with Chris Boecker and couldn't be happier so far. Maybe you should voice your concerns to him.