Diffusion vs absorption

[howiebrou]

Can any in easy to understand terms explain the necessity and theory behind using various diffusion and absorption panels and how they should be placed in a standard rectangular room with the speakers on the short side?

I have seen rooms with bass traps in the corners behind the left and right speakers, a diffusion panel in the middle, absorption on the ceiling and side walls at the point of first reflection etc and then seen some with it all reversed.

Any good starting point one could recommend? I don't want to buy loads of absorption panels to find they are of no use! Professionals whom I would trust on this are thin on the ground over here.

Thanks

howie

[klipschfan]

Primacoustic - Acoustical Solutions

Absorption vs. diffusion: thoughts and factors

diffusion vs. absorption - Gearslutz.com

RealTraps - Acoustics Articles

This will get you started-RealTraps also has videos where you can hear the difference.

RealTraps - Videos

[klipschfan]

Speakers: Maximizing A Room’s Acoustics, by Dennis Burger - Electronic House Info and Answers

ASC Home Theater Acoustics

Introduction to Acoustics — Reviews and News from Audioholics

Thought it was difficult selecting cables......now Acoustics......

[howiebrou]

Thanks. It's gonna take me a while to wade through all these great links.

Cheers

howie

[Gordon]

Howie, I have a half dozen of the RealTraps throughout my room. After you wade through those links, give Ethan a call and he will advise. I'm very happy with the quality of these pieces.

Gordon

[howiebrou]

Originally Posted by Gordon

Howie, I have a half dozen of the RealTraps throughout my room. After you wade through those links, give Ethan a call and he will advise. I'm very happy with the quality of these pieces.

Gordon

Thanks.

[magnmac]

While I am totally against the moving of threads, perhaps this one should be in acoustics? just for future reference? Hmmm?

But the only point I would add here before checking out all these good links is there is not only a first reflection point on the side walls; when people talk about the first reflection point they only indicate there is one of these, but there is one of the back wall to the back of your head, and in the case of my dipoles, and perhaps this applies to any speaker with a rearward speaker, or port? there is also one from the rear of the speaker off the front wall towards you, and also the ceiling. Most of the highend treated rooms I have seen in pictures confirm this with treated (absorption) on the front wall as the picture in this page shows.

Now the point I am not sure about is the front wall directly in front of the listener; I am not sure if absorption or diffusion is the way to go here...