Trapping that rates bedroom "Ayes!"

[jimtranr]

Parking an audio system in an already-furnished-for-its-primary-function 13' x 11-1/2' x 7'8" bedroom and expecting to extract anything more than background Muzak might seem a fool's errand. For starters, and putting aside the issue of spousal acceptance (don't ask how I finessed that--I haven't a clue), the room's relatively compact dimensions and a-bit-close-for-comfort proportions, the reflectivity of a behind-the-speakers teak dresser topped by wooden jewel cases, the proximity of the speakers to a stuffed-to-the-gills oak equipment cabinet on one side and an alder box supporting a record cleaning machine on the other, and the presence of 5' x 3' window glass present a host of problems that should have torpedoed any aspirations for sonic output exhibiting anything close to reasonably balanced perceptible frequency response, realistic soundstaging, and meaningful dynamic contrasts.

Tube Traps to the rescue, namely those which were left over from the earlier dedicated-room complement and not used to shred the fundamental canons of interior decorating in the "new" main listening room. While, as in the main system, I couldn't trap the bedroom's front corners, I've nonetheless managed to achieve more than I expected--with anything approaching a decent recording, the speakers disappear and in most cases so does the front wall.

Here's a peek at the setup:





Note the diffusor orientation of the front 9" traps. Angling them thus gives me the best soundstage spread while retaining the magnitude and proportionality of depth across the width of the soundstage.

[jdandy]

Jim.......That's quiet a commitment to the bedroom system.

[jimtranr]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Jim.......That's quiet a commitment to the bedroom system.

Dan, since a 40" Bravia is part of the main system, the bedroom now provides a viable listening alternative whenever my wife wants to watch a Lifetime or Hallmark tear jerker.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by jimtranr

Dan, since a 40" Bravia is part of the main system, the bedroom now provides a viable listening alternative whenever my wife wants to watch a Lifetime or Hallmark tear jerker.

Jim.......I understand that. Marlene watches Lifetime For Women all the time. Same jilted woman with bad husband/boyfriend movie over and over. They just swap different B-grade actors.

[chessman]

Jim, as of now, you are my new personal hero.

[jimtranr]

Originally Posted by chessman

Jim, as of now, you are my new personal hero.

You set the bar awfully low, Randy. But thanks.

Actually, this was a good way to make use of traps that otherwise would have remained idle surplus. And a learning experience in dealing with the problems presented by a smaller room.

[jimtranr]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Jim.......I understand that. Marlene watches Lifetime For Women all the time. Same jilted woman with bad husband/boyfriend movie over and over. They just swap different B-grade actors.

Succinctly put.

[Rafale]

Originally Posted by jimtranr

Parking an audio system in an already-furnished-for-its-primary-function 13' x 11-1/2' x 7'8" bedroom and expecting to extract anything more than background Muzak might seem a fool's errand. For starters, and putting aside the issue of spousal acceptance (don't ask how I finessed that--I haven't a clue), the room's relatively compact dimensions and a-bit-close-for-comfort proportions, the reflectivity of a behind-the-speakers teak dresser topped by wooden jewel cases, the proximity of the speakers to a stuffed-to-the-gills oak equipment cabinet on one side and an alder box supporting a record cleaning machine on the other, and the presence of 5' x 3' window glass present a host of problems that should have torpedoed any aspirations for sonic output exhibiting anything close to reasonably balanced perceptible frequency response, realistic soundstaging, and meaningful dynamic contrasts.

Tube Traps to the rescue, namely those which were left over from the earlier dedicated-room complement and not used to shred the fundamental canons of interior decorating in the "new" main listening room. While, as in the main system, I couldn't trap the bedroom's front corners, I've nonetheless managed to achieve more than I expected--with anything approaching a decent recording, the speakers disappear and in most cases so does the front wall.

Here's a peek at the setup:





Note the diffusor orientation of the front 9" traps. Angling them thus gives me the best soundstage spread while retaining the magnitude and proportionality of depth across the width of the soundstage.

Jim you hide electronic countermeasures in acoustic panels?

[jimtranr]

Originally Posted by Rafale

Jim you hide electronic countermeasures in acoustic panels?

Good one, Philippe.

Note the new avatar. What my oldest flew in as a countermeasures officer during several deployments.

The bedroom system equipment complement has changed a trifle as of this morning, as I replaced the Pioneer DVD player used for CD playback with my long-idle modded Sony SCD-777ES. That required a reshuffling of component placement, since the 777's a top loader. The new configuration looks like this:

[Rafale]

Jim...nice rack
You were lucky to fly on Grumann EA6 prowler ?