Before I Purchase - Am I On The Right Track?

[LFO2]

Hey Everyone,
I've been lurking for a few weeks now and (pardon the pun) absorbing as much as I can regarding treatment for my project studio. It is decision time as I want to get back to making music. However, I would like your input before I take the plunge.

I've attached a diagram I provided to Auralex (who has yet to respond to my submission for analysis and I am tired of waiting ) that shows what I am dealing with.

The room is sorta weird because the double french doors are set 2 feet deeper than the side wall they are on. The closet also has no doors, though I could replace them if needed.

To my question. I currently am torn between purchasing 12 2 inch 2x4 Auralex wedges or building 12 of my own 703 frames. From what I can tell, the 703s outperform the Auralex wedges (at 2 inches). I could get good absorbancy from using a mix of 2 and 4 inch 2x4 Auralex wedges and the LENRDs.

So, if I went with the Auralex solution instead of the 703s would there be a noticable difference? Auralex is more expensive, however money is easier than time right now, so the added expense is not prohibative.

Question 2, given the size of my room (dimensions in the attached gif file) would you recommend diffusers or clouds for the ceiling? That is a piece I have not been able to figure out.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks to all for the huge amount of information!

-LFO

P.S. What is the deal with Max Walls? I see Auralex toting them as a solution, but even if you have Max Walls wouldn't you need absorbtion on the back walls?

 

[Rod Gervais]

LFO,

As I digest this I wonder - why don't you switch your desk so your are shooting the long way into the room (i.e.: centered on the window in the top of your sketch) - you would have better stereo imaging because the room is closer to symmetrical than the way you're setting up now.

Sincerely,
Rod

 

[guido #2]

703 is the better product, if you can find it. It will help to control much lower freqs than ANY foam can. Do a google search on it. the specs are out there.
I would use the foam to help with early reflections.
Also, you can double layer the 703 to extend the freq absorbtion (sp?) range. there are some other tricks, too, dealing with the backing, etc...
Oh yeah. If you find some 703 in the cleve ohio area, let me know. Around here, they'll only sell to contractors

 

[LFO2]

Thanks for the replies, Rod and Guido.

The reason I have my DAW setup on the short side (only 1 foot shorter, as you probably noticed) is because I would lose an entire corner worth of space in the room. When I set up where the DAW is now, I get the corner where I want to do vocals. If I set up on the window side I lose that corner and get stuck with the corner with the doors. The way I see it, (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong) is that the 1 foot difference is not a huge deal. Of course, I have absolutely no math to back that up, so my opinion is based on pretty much nothing.

I have found a place that will sell me 703 here in Mesa, AZ, though from what I have seen on the net, it is a bit expensive. They want $1.35 a square foot, which translates to $10.80 for a 2x4x2 board. Even at that price getting 15 pieces would only cost $162 for 120 sq ft of coverage.

I wish that sources like Real Traps were less expensive, though I respect the work Ethan has done for his company and realize the cost is probably justified by the value Real Traps bring. The problem is getting that kind of budget from the wife is not going to happen.

I should say thanks to Ethan (if he happens to look at this thread) for sharing so much information. All of his work was very valuable to me!

Any other suggestions?

 

[Renascent]

I'd suggest monitors firing longways into room, vocals in the closet
I'm trying to find 703 tool. We should open a homerecording.com wholesale account for 703 and buy this crap in bulk!

 

[bpape]

10.80 Sq Ft is a little bit high but not really when you compare to cheaper places that you then have to pay for shipping. Unless they're really raping you, local is still the way to go - and I say this as someone who sells it...


As you stated, even at that price, in the grand scheme of things, it's a cheap investment for the benefits it brings.

 

[guido #2]

We should open a homerecording.com wholesale account for 703 and buy this crap in bulk!

BOING!!
Great idea!. I'm in....

 

[chris-from-ky]

Well, I'd take it at 1.35/sq ft. Nearest to Central KY - It's 2.52/sq ft. $20.16 for the board is costly. Yet, consider $20 for 703 and $30 for a couple yards of Guilford and your still beating the price of a realtrap. No offense to Ethan. I wish I could afford his awesome products.

gikacoustics.com may be worth a look. I can't affford those right now either.