Troublesome back wall

[HapiCmpur]

The wall behind my mixing position is anything but symmetrical. It's about 9.5 feet away the mixing position, so I've been advised in this forum to go for absorbtion rather than diffusion. I've only got ONE last panel of rigid fiberglass left, so I'm trying to figure out the best location for it on that rear wall -- the only wall that currently has no treatment on it.

The first photo shows one possible configuration, with the panel hanging vertically between the storage tower (currently empty) and the other end of the closet. (Obviously,the panel is not actually hanging yet. It's just sitting on the floor near where I'm thinking about hanging it.)

The second photo shows another possible configuration, with the panel "hanging" horizontally (at the level of my monitors), and with the storage tower shoved back into the closet's alcove.

I've also thought about hanging the panel on the door, but I think the wall directly across the room from my monitors is the more important location.

Anyway, I hoping you guys will offer up some of your typically excellent suggestions. Thanks.

 

[Ethan Winer]

Haps,

I think you'll do better to hang it horizontally, centered vertically at ear height. You should also space it off the wall as far as you can manage - one foot away from the wall would be perfect. This will extend the absorption to cover a larger area than the panel's physical size. That is, some of the sound that strikes the wall near the panel will "splash" a little and be reflected into the back of the panel where it's absorbed.

--Ethan

 

[HapiCmpur]

I think you'll do better to hang it horizontally, centered vertically at ear height.

So you think I should hang the panel like in the second photo, but a with the panel moved a little farther over toward the middle of the closet opening and hung at ear height? You can't see the monitors in this pic, of course, but you CAN see a ceiling panel that is centered between the monitors. I take it you're recommending that I center it (left to right) on that?

You should also space it off the wall as far as you can manage - one foot away from the wall would be perfect.

Wow! A FOOT? I understand the principle, Ethan, but that's a lot of working space to surrender. Also, I thought you've been recommending 3-4 inches in other posts and on other sites. Should I re-hang all my wall panels out as far as possible, or is 3-4 inches a reasonable compromise?

 

[Ethan Winer]

Hapi,

> So you think I should hang the panel like in the second photo <

Yes, but not resting on the floor of course! Center it in both directions to align with your head.

> Wow! A FOOT? I understand the principle, Ethan, but that's a lot of working space to surrender. <

It's way back in the room, so who cares? I suggest that only to get the most spatial coverage from a single panel. The closer you have it to the wall, the smaller the effective surface area. This has nothing to do with the 3-4 inches often used to extend absorption to a lower frequency.

--Ethan

 

[HapiCmpur]

I suggest that only to get the most spatial coverage from a single panel. The closer you have it to the wall, the smaller the effective surface area. This has nothing to do with the 3-4 inches often used to extend absorption to a lower frequency.

Okay. I get it. You weren't changing your opinion on the general spacing principle; you were just trying to help me get the most oomph out of my last precious piece of fiberglass. That's good news, since I can probably afford to sacrifice that particular space, and since I DON'T have to rehang all my other panels.

As always, Ethan, I thank you for your advice. My little "studio" is almost finished, and I'm really looking forward to posting some pics here very soon.