Hey guys,

Been a few years since I last posted here I think, but I've recently moved house into a new flat with my girlfriend and set up all my equipment in the spare room and have noticed that the low frequencies are very "boomy" for lack of a better word, perhaps some standing waves causing this, I don't know?

I suppose I've been lucky in previous properties up until now as I've never experienced this, despite being in rooms of a similar size. One thing to note is that there are more windows in this room than I've had in previous ones which I suppose could be a contributing factor.

The (nigh on impossible to solve) problem I'm faced with is trying to tame the low frequencies without moving stuff around too much (the mrs likes the layout), and no ugly acoustic treatments (this doesn't mean no acoustic treatments though, as long as they look half decent. I'm sure those of you in relationships know exactly what problems I'm faced with!

I shall post pictures for you in a bit and some more info on which frequencies are particularly problematic, but any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

"Been a few years since I last posted here I think, but I've recently moved house into a new flat with my girlfriend and set up all my equipment in the spare room and have noticed that the low frequencies are very "boomy" for lack of a better word, perhaps some standing waves causing this, I don't know?"


It is all kinds of reasons, but most of the boom comes from the low end decay that, for the most part is more harmful then anything else.

The following is from a article I did a few months back. The following talks about decay times.

"Waterfall Graphs

Before we move on to your next set of tests, here is a little background on decay times and waterfall graphs and why they are so important to view (if not more important then frequency response). As a sound plays through your speakers it doesn't just get to you and stop but continues to bounce around the room and slowly fades away over time. This is sometimes referred to by others as ringing or reverb. A waterfall graph allows you to visualize how quickly or slowly a given frequency decays over time.

Low frequencies tend to be stronger and stay more intense longer than higher frequencies. Higher frequencies are also easier to control. Things like people, furniture, carpet, curtains, and even air tend to have a much more significant impact on the higher frequencies than lower ones. In addition, high frequencies are much more directional where low frequencies tend to spread like a sphere in 3 dimensions. In a bare room, there really isn't much that has any significant impact on low frequencies which is why it is critical to have proper bass trapping . As the low end keeps bouncing around the room there are other things that you are trying to hear but the frequencies that are ringing are masking imaging cues, harmonic textures, and even cancelling and/or reinforcing themselves.

When someone refers to a room that sounds "tight" or "clear" they are most likely in a room that the low end decay times are under control with bass traps."

http://www.gikacoustics.com/news_020912.html


Over all though what you need to do is make sure you are sitting facing the short wall in the room and have plenty of bass trapping in the room. The following are a few things to help you understand room acoustics a bit more. After you post some pictures we can give you a bit more info about where to start off sitting and placement of acoustic in the room.
http://www.gikacoustics.com/video_basics.html
http://www.gikacoustics.com/news_081610.html

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www.GIKAcoustics.com
Now with offices in the USA and Europe

Hi,

Your first step is to find out what frequencies are affected by the resonances in your room. I am certain your issues fall below 100 cycles. Find the trouble making frequencies and go after them. It is the best way when you are dealing with cycles below 100.

Once you have measured for the resonances, you can use frequency specific, low frequency, absorbers for problematic frequency regions or go after low frequency resonances with a broadband low frequency absorber. The type of absorber depends on the amplitude of the resonance.

It is critical that you find the troublesome frequencies, so you can apply the correct sound absorption technologies. There is nothing more frustrating than buying a lot of this or that and then still having the problem. Remember, you are going after low frequencies, not low middle frequencies.

Low frequency, I mean real low frequency issues such as those from 20 Hz. - 100 Hz. require special attention. Be prepared to give up some room space.

Regards,
Mike

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www.acousticfields.com low frequency absorption solutions. Listen to the music without hearing the room!

If you are going to measure your room yourself this video should help when using REW -

http://youtu.be/e4uSR3cUUSY

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David Shevyn General Manager GIK Acoustics Europe
www.gikacoustics.co.uk