Ceiling Acoustic Treatment

[jm1]

I am planning my next project for the audio room. The project will consist of designing, constructing and implementing acoustical treatment for the ceiling. The horizontal dimensions are treated using a combination of tube traps and diffusion panels. The third dimension has carpet on the floor with a bare ceiling. The intent of this project is to remove this third untreated dimension from the acoustic signature of the room.

From my research, I have created rough plans to create a 4’ x 8’ panel which incorporates absorption as well as reflectors to trap direct sound from the monitors, yet preserve room energy. Combining both features into the acoustical treatment panel should not over damp the room. I am also aiming to appreciably reduce the floor/ceiling resonant mode within the room.

My design is untested at this time as I have not found any reference to this particular design in a single panel. I was wondering if anyone has experimented with ceiling acoustical treatment in their room. I would be interested hearing what you did and the results of the project.

I am planning on ordering the on-line materials this week as well it will take several weeks for the items to arrive. This would leave me time to revise my design should any additional information be discovered.

Thanks for your time.

[Hawkeye]

It seems that one large panel is going to be quite elaborate. My room has several traps both low and high frequency. From what I've read, diffusion can get a little dicey depending on how far your sitting from the diffusor.

I've had terrific luck talking on the phone with Ethan at Real Traps about pro and homemade traps. Might want to check his site out and peruse all the info available there if you haven't already.

Please keep us advised on your progress. I'd be very interested in hearing your results.

[pearsall001]

I applaude your creativity in wanting to design your own panel. But then again it almost like recreating the wheel. There are quite a few very good pro companies that do make these panels & have a lot of science behind there final designs. Have you looked at companies like RealTraps, GIK Acoustisc, Auralex, & others? Maybe they have something that will fit the bill for what you're trying to do.

Or maybe you just like to tinker & really want to build it yourself. If that's the case, go for it & keep us posted on the final design & the results.

[jm1]

Gentlemen, thank you for taking the time to respond.

I have been researching room acoustics for about five years and have read a lot of material both published and online. I have visited Ethan’s personal and business sites as well as other acoustic company sites many times to review the material offered. There are also other sites which have a wealth of acoustic information.

I am looking to create an item with specific acoustic properties. This item is conceptually based on the ceiling acoustic control technique of a dedicated two channel audio room designed by Rives. The owner has documented the construction process as well as the finished results. I have noted similar acoustic control mechanisms are being implemented in new rooms recently constructed.

The only commercially available product I have found which might have the same acoustical properties I am trying to implement are ASC Matrix panels (http://www.asc-hifi.com/matrix-panel.htm). A 24” x 48” panel lists for $522. I would like to have the coverage of four panels.

I would rather order a completed item as I would like to immediately enjoy the benefits. For about 15% of the above cost, I can create a panel which might provide the benefits I am looking for. I feel this is worth the risk and labor to implement. If it does not work as expected, it will be easy to modify to a conventional panel.

I also have ideas for other acoustic items I would like to construct and test, but that will be another story.

[jm1]

The ceiling panel has been assembled. Before I finished the project, I wanted to verify that it was beneficial and not detrimental to the sonic characteristics of the room. It is now in place without the cloth cover and oak trim (cosmetic functionality only) and still requires some final detailing before completion.

I have been listening for the past while to the new acoustic signature of the room. There is a completely new level of intricacy and detail within the music I had not noted before. Even when visiting the local audio shops to listen to some of the six figure audio systems with the same music, I have not noted this information.

My design appears to be functioning as planned. With the ceiling panel installed, the sonic characteristics of the room have significantly exceeded my expectations of what I initially set out to accomplish.

I don't understand why more people pause their pursuit of 'gear' and focus on the acoustics of the room. Optimizing the room is where the real performance gains are made. Once this is complete, you will be able to hear what the components actually sound like.

The present system configuration within the room:

- Balanced Power Technologies BP-2.5 (with Bybee Quantum Purifiers, differential noise filter)
- VPI Scout Signature TT (super platter, periphery ring clamp)
- PS Audio P300 power regulator for TT motor speed regulation
- ZYX phono cartridge
- Motorola digital cable box (40 music channels)
- Pioneer DV-59avi (transport)
- Museatex Bitstream DAC
- Simaudio P-5 pre-amp (Hi-fi Tuning fuse)
- dbx active crossover (would like to replace with a 2-way Merchand XM44 @80Hz)
- Simaudio W-3 amp (Hi-fi Tuning fuse)
- Dynaudio Confidence C1 monitors mounted on Stand 4 filled with lead shot
- (2) SVS PC-Ultra subs (Hi-fi Tuning fuses)
- Moray James Digital IC
- Mix of Nordost Frey and Harmonic Technology ICs
- Nordost Frey speaker cables
- PS Audio power cables

[Hawkeye]

jm1,

Glad to hear your experiment met your expectations. I am in agreement with you that the room must be considered an equal "component" in the scheme of things. I've heard it said that a mid-fi system in a treated room will smoke a hi-fi system in an untreated room.

I believe the thrill of purchasing new or used electronics far exceeds the thrill of buying a mundane 2 X 4 panel to hang on the wall. They have no lights to see or connectors to connect which is a large part of this hobby.

Your Dynaudio C1 are a very nice speaker. I listened to them on 5 different ocassions and was that close to making a pair mine. The tweeters were almost completely bearable to my ears. If I did not have hearing damage, they would be home now. No fault of the speaker for sure.

If you have any photos of your ceiling trap I'd be interested in seeing them. Thanks for sharing your views on treating the room.

Gordon

[pearsall001]

It's all about the room...otherwise your gear & speakers are not living up to their full potential.

[jm1]

Gordon,

The room is equal to or more important than the sum of the components. When I started, the older components I had at the time sounded significantly better once room treatment was introduced.

I believe the thrill of purchasing new or used electronics far exceeds the thrill of buying a mundane 2 X 4 panel to hang on the wall. They have no lights to see or connectors to connect which is a large part of this hobby.

All that glitters is not gold. The true wealth is in the more mundane aspects of the hobby this time.

[JoeLR]

If you haven't done so already, you might want to email the folks at GIK acoustics... I knwo they routinely help people w/ DIY projects; really nice people there...

[GV#27]

The room is equal to or more important than the sum of the components. Couldn't agree more.I have added several DIY treatments to my room with noticeable gains in SQ.However I have not yet added any treatment to the ceiling due to aestetic reasons ie.WAF.I would be interested in seeing pics of how you did yours.

btw.thats a fine system you have assembled.;)