Bass Traps (1 Viewer)

I need to add some bass traps to my room and am wondering if anyone has a good discount source for them, or if there are any less expensive alternatives?

I could be willing to try a DIY project if I had clear instructions on how to do it. Thanks for the help.

No, haven't heard of it. Info?

Thanks for the info Wayne. I've enjoyed reading a lot of it already.

A couple of quick questions, though. I am using stereo subs with my mains and an LFE sub. Would I then need 2 BFDs to eq all subs? Do you find that the BFD has eliminated the need for any lf acoustic treatments then?

Tube traps are fairly expensive. The following website has construction information and lots of useful information.

http://www.geocities.com/jonrisch/

Here is a brief quote, and link from an article on the topic of accoustics. It may behoove you to look at it. Good luck with whatever choice you make!




http://www.axiomaudio.com/archives/r...tics.html?1292

Wayne, What did you use to measure and create the waveforms you posted, to show the before and after shots of using the BFD?

Thanks,

- Rutgar

Rutgar,

One sw program you can use with your RS SPL meter is called ETF5

You will also find lots of useful tutortial material on the website as well as demo room examples to help you understand to to best use the program.

Other sw programs include spectraplus, truerta and others I haven't used myself.

Also, there is a website here with an explanation about how to use the MS excel program that was used to create the graphs in Wayne's post. It also explains how to work with the BFD parametric EQ.

Thanks for the information. Since the BFD really isn't very expensive (I found one at a local Guitar Center for $119.00), I went ahead and bought one today. I'll spend the weekend setting it up. I might eventually try the software you suggested, but in the mean time, I'll play with the Excel stuff (since it's free).

- Rutgar

Hmmm... sounds like a very interesting topic.

Hello to you fella's who have taught me so much... Wayne and BruceD.

Gary...

I don't know if I could live without my BFD in my HT room.

Here's my latest graph from the sweet spot:




I've learned a little about taming bass in a small HT room. The BFD was perfect for taming the sweet spot but it doesn't do anything for my heavy bass in the rear of the room. If I tame that area then I create a massive dip in the sweet spot. Even moving from side to side the response changes. It's a serious challenge to get a good balance in all 6 of our seats.


I researched the bass trap idea and for the frequencies I need to tame I believe it will take some serious panels designed to precision to achieve any noticeable results. The rear wall creates a 10db boost in frequencies around 30hz. From what I could gather panels would need to be built from the floor to the ceiling across the entire back wall. I could see how this could get ugly but I could see it dressed out nicely as well. I would hate to do it and it not work. That would take up a lot of precious room if wasted. It may be that I would need some expensive equipment to figure it all out to precision. I need more research no doubt. Getting a bass trap to only absorb the 30hz area sounds like a very serious challenge to me.


There are absorbtion panels that are very inexpensive for those early reflections from your mains. The ones I found I believe work on frequencies 125hz and up. Most are 7lb pcf compressed insulation framed and wrapped in the Gilfourd of Maine material. These are available in several sizes and colors. I have a link to one at my office and will try to remember to post it later. They were very reasonable in price.


Have you completed measurements yet?

There is a link to test tones on the BFD page as well as a lot of other useful links.

Thanks Wayne... I try to chime in all along... I know I do a pitiful job overall though. HTF is a big place and sometimes it gets overwhelming to me. Lots of knowledge floating around.

Yeah... I'm gonna keep that graph up as it's on the BFD page. Although boosting that 40hz area doesn't help any with the heavy bass coming off that rear wall if you are sitting on the back row. I'll probably set up another preset to use when we have people on the back row.


Here are my measurements and filters used to achieve the above:

what's up guys,i dont know if this has been asked before but can the BFD control fq below 20hz?

Sonnie, Did you have to use a lot of Gain at 40Hz? Or, did you bring everything down, and then raise the overall level of the sub? I'm asking because many people say you should never boost frequencies with an equalizer.

- Rutgar

Paul, Thanks for the info about sealed subs. I'm using two Velodyne ULD-15's, and they are sealed units. So, I won't be so shy about using a little gain on my BFD.

- Rutgar