Should I put spacers behind my bass traps?

[Nate74]

I have three wall mounted 2'x2'x2" absorbers along with several corner mounted 4" thick bass traps. In watchin Ethan's video I see that he uses some cylindrical spacers to put about 2" or so between the walls and the traps. Is it worth it on 2" thick absorbers?

I know, I know... try it and see. But I'm at work, daydreaming and not in my studio but wanting to talk about it

[pandamonk]

Originally Posted by Nate74

I have three wall mounted 2'x2'x2" absorbers along with several corner mounted 4" thick bass traps. In watchin Ethan's video I see that he uses some cylindrical spacers to put about 2" or so between the walls and the traps. Is it worth it on 2" thick absorbers?

I know, I know... try it and see. But I'm at work, daydreaming and not in my studio but wanting to talk about it

A 2" absorber spaced 2" from a reflective surface will act more like a 4" absorber. So yeah, the cheapest way to increase effectivness of absorbent material is by spacing it from the reflective surface, eg wall.

[Nate74]

Thanks pandamonk!

There's a carpet store that I pass on my way home from work. Would a empty tube from a roll of carpet work if I cut it to 2" in length? I seem to remember those things are made of pretty heavy-duty cardboard. Would that be total overkill and is there something better suited?

[TexRoadkill]

Anything that gives you an airspace will work. Wood, cardboard, PVC, pointy sticks...