In part three of this series, we looked at the three components of acoustic treatment: acoustic panels, bass traps and diffusors. Now I’m going to show you how to put them to use. First, let’s go over the thing that will instantly improve the sound of any room, regardless of its size: the Reflection-Free Zone (or RFZ).
Creating a RFZ is the most critical step in creating a pleasing listening environment. Simply put, the RFZ is an area surrounding the listening position that absorbs the first reflections from the speakers so that they don’t randomly bounce around the room. The idea is that all you hear is the speakers’ direct sound as a result (see above).
In order to create an RFZ, sit in the listening position and have a helper move a mirror over one of your room’s side walls. Every inch of space you see in the mirror’s reflection of either speaker requires acoustic treatment to tame the reflections. Repeat this from the opposite wall and the ceiling, and you’ve defined your RFZ.
It’s a good idea to treat a larger area of the wall than you identify with the mirror. That way, you’ll be free to move around a little without leaving the Reflection Free Zone. If you’re wondering how the heck to slide a mirror around on the ceiling, try attaching a hand mirror to a broomstick with rubber bands. Just by treating this area alone, you can improve the sound of your room by a surprising amount.
The floor of the RFZ can stay reflective with hardwood (which everyone likes because it’s easy to roll your chair around) as long as the ceiling is absorbent. Even if you have a rug on the floor, you’re still better off to have the ceiling absorbent in the RFZ to eliminate any …Read the full story
Source:: We All Make Music