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In the Forum: Horn-Loaded Speakers
In the Thread: Deep End DIY - Australian take one Macondo.
Post Subject: The Elephant (sized speakers) in the RoomPosted by anthony on: 4/6/2017
 kodomo wrote:
Hey Anthony,

Your project is going on track (and looks like a very good track)! 

 Just a reminder about the room acoustics. You are talking about bass frequencies which are as dependent to the room as the speaker! Before installing your speakers into your room, calculate the nodes and the amount of absorption you need to cover the room from the dimensions of your room and use specific acoustic treatment for that. An appropriate rt60 and a balanced room response creates a very nice listening. Even though this is a horn system, you will be still listening to your room and not just the horns.  

Treat the problematic bass regions first, this means all the corners you can cover. You can also build a front wall or a back wall diffuser or both from Tim Perry's plans. Remember the distance from the diffusers are very important for even response. So the depth you choose for your wells in your diffusers will dictate the frequency they will cover and the minimum distance they have to be from the listener. Then install your speakers, remeasure and then address your problems again, starting with the first reflection points. When you have the specific place for your speakers, the first and the second reflection points will be known. I suggest treating not only walls, but also the ceiling in the first and second reflection points. Remember this is not a recording room but a listening environment, so you are aiming to get closer to a non-environment room (not completely)

Here are the links for diffusers and absorbers, I suggest you to build
http://arqen.com/sound-diffusers/
http://arqen.com/bass-traps-101/placement-guide/

I can also share my diffuser/absorber panels plans but they are for my specific room, you can however use the idea.






Thank's for your offer Kodomo, I may take you up on it at some stage.

Last year I vetted some acoustic consultants and made a decision as to who I would get to help me with the acoustics of my new room.  The guy I have selected is particularly straight talking and above all seems very practical and experienced.  Some of the things that he said when I met him in person I have not read (or to be honest noticed) online or in books on the subject and he seems someone not prone to fads or crazy ideas so may provide a good foil for someone like me that does not have experience and is naturally attracted to something with great numbers on paper.

As is so happens I reconnected with him earlier this week and we are in the process of formulating a plan going forward that will suit my construction schedule and the level of diy that I wish to achieve.  My room is new and it does have a rudimentary playback and sitting in it at this stage there are obvious problems with the sound.  At this stage I would like to take steps to tidy up the sound that I currently have in the room such as bass and flutter echoes but not go overboard on the treatment until I am ready to embed my Macondo into the room.  
I am not yet even sure where the speakers will go in the room - on the long wall or the short wall.  I have an idea that is a little unconventional and I may need my acoustic consultant to talk some sense back into me...


 Romy the Cat wrote:
Kodomo, I do not say it is unnecessary but I do not think it is possible for Anthony at this point. The calculating of testing the nodes is questionable task and I would advise do not do it. Anybody who undertake the project as Anthony does had some kind of playback in the room before and knows the room basic problems and strengths. To think now about absorption, diffusion and the rest of the game is completely pointless. I think people shall address the problem in order the problems arrive. As peoples has a basic Macondo rendered in the room he will play with it to imbedding it in his specific room. At that time he will be changing the crossovers, move the speakers, play with acoustic treatment. There is no k now to me was how a person can model it. The whole idea to play with the speakers in your room is to teach yourself about the speakers and the room. So, I do advise do not invest into any acoustic treatment ... unless you feel/hear a need for the acoustic treatment.

Yes, this is the approach that I envisage will occur, although I would like to take some small steps now with temporary placement of devices to treat flutter echoes and maybe some broadband absorption in the bass frequencies.  To be honest I have been waiting until I have finalised or nearly finalised the physical design of Macondo/Melquiades before I start to buy/make room treatments so I can be sure that they compliment each other aesthetically.  My room has a lot of light during the day thanks to windows along the entire northern wall and I have painted the room the whitest white available so although it is very nice to be in with its natural light but also is quite bland and needs texture.  The Macondo/Melq will be large and black and sporting an industrial look so now I have to decide what will be the right sort of 'look' for the room treatments...perhaps I need to consult my wife on this point.  

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