Acoustic Treatment Wall Behind Speakers

After doing some research it looks like some are of the opinion that one must kill the first reflections by placing sound absorbers right behind the speakers.

Acoustic treatment wall behind speakers.

Yes the only treatment that s useful on the front wall in most rooms is thick bass traps. Should you use absorption behind the speakers and diffusion on the rear wall well it s a good beginning. At very close distances 4 inch thick absorptive acoustic panels behind the speakers may help tame the cancellation notch. The type of absorption may depend with the type of speaker as well as the distance from the wall behind the speakers with conventional speakers closer proximity to.

I m in the process of treating my listening room s acoustics. Others prefer to put diffusers right behind them. Front wall absorption ethan the acoustic treatment experts. So in this example in which you have 1 front firing speaker two front stereo speakers left and right two speakers behind the listener also left and right and two speakers side to side left and right you re already up to 7 unique sound sources all firing across each other.

This is a non environment ne type control room with flush mounted studio monitors and thick broadband absorption systems built into the sidewalls rear wall and ceiling. The area between the speakers and the front wall is the highest pressure area in the room. Adding 1 or 2 inch thick foam is a waste. Which is why the most popular diy method of recording vocals is to prop an old mattress against your wall so its directly behind the singers back as he performs.

Which approach is right. As speaker wall distance increases treatment becomes less practical. For years i understood the importance of acoustic treatments and room acoustics but like many audiophiles and enthusiasts i wasted my time money and energy on new equipment cables and or speakers thinking that they would lead me to the promise land. It s clear there s a lot to think about.

In last week s hangout i was asked. That s the area where you have the most low frequency problems. The other reason for acoustic treatments of course is to tame bass nodes no mean feat. To avoid this problem mount your acoustic panels flat on the walls and be sure to spread them evenly throughout the entire room.

The effectiveness of absorption behind your speakers also depends on speaker directivity. Broadband bass traps would be better. Acoustic treatment on the other hand. I m definately going to put diffusers 3 furutech panels on the wall behind the listening couch.