Suggestions for treatment? <Pics>

I have poured over this forum and you guys seem to be on the ball with your knowledge. So without further ass kissing here is the situation: I have $550 to spend at the moment on treatment, I wish I had more but what are you going to do. :lol: My room's dimentions are 12' 8" X 11'8" X 7' 11" not even remotly ideal I know. There is currently no treatment as can be seen in the pictures. I would like to do bass traps in every corner (4" panels) and build them freestanding because this is an aparment or at the very most hang them somehow. My desk is being replaced soon with something larger and I intend on getting stands for the monitors. I'm aware that my monitor placement sucks at the moment (against the wall and to low). So I am wondering 2 things: What would be ideal for this room (unlimited budget) and what can be done with the $550 I have at the moment. I'm looking for quality over quanity as I do want to take these with me when I move so please keep that in mind. Pics (please exscuse the mess): Now for some of the issues. The corner you see with the window and door near it are my entrance point. The door frame is less than a foot from the corner and the window frame is less than 3" from the corner. This was one of the main reasons I wanted the bass traps to be free standing. I am willing to cover part of the window up but it can't be anything permenant. The amp, and the clothing rack you see won't be in this room come the end of the month, they are getting stored in another room. The door you see behind the piano doesn't get used except for the exstreamly rare situation, so putting treatment over or on this door isn't an issue as long as it can be removed (I was thinking of just hanging whatever). I changed window treatments because those are girly :lol: and I went with something heavier duty. I also plan to paint the walls because as you can see the previous tenant messed up the walls with finger smears. Some questions as well: Can I get away with 4'X2'X4" bass traps or should I go the entire length of the corners? How pertainant is it that I build 4" side and back absorbers if if I floated them off the wall (so 2" OC703 hanged off the wall with a gap OR 4" 703 without a gap)? I realise this is alot to ask. But your my hero if you help me. :D

GuitarGodgt wrote:

I have $550 to spend at the moment on treatment

That will buy enough rigid fiberglass to treat your room fully. Cover as much corner surface as you can, including wall-wall, wall-ceiling, and wall-floor corners where possible. Where you can't straddle a corner, put the panels flat on the wall or door etc near the corner. Then put more panels at the side-wall reflection points, and more on the wall behind you, and you'll be good to go. For panels on walls and doors, spacing them 2 to 4 inches is better still. Yes, it really is that simple. --Ethan

Thanks Ethan. I'm going to call around for some 703 tomorrow. It's outrageous to ship so I'm going to try to get it locally. Shooting for 5 bags at this point. Going to go with the brown burlap and paint them white.

Guitargodgt, In addition to 703 I'd check prices on mineral wool. Usually 703 is much more expensive, and mineral wool of equivalent density usually performs about the same (though it's not quite as "rigid" and doesn't hold its shape as well over time). But if you're on a budget, it will likely make sense for you, since you'll be able to get more material for your budget.

jwl wrote:

(though it's not quite as "rigid" and doesn't hold its shape as well over time)

This is unfortunately a big deciding factor. Even if treatment needs to be done over time over the year I got to go with stuff that won't break down. With what I have I should be able to make 15 2'x4'x4" panels out of 703. It's a good enough start. I'm thinking all 4 corners top to bottom, 2 panells on each wall except the one behind the monitors.... For now :twisted:

Is your 703 2" thick? If so I'd make 4 panels that are 2" thick, and use them at the first reflection points on the side walls and ceiling. Focus your 4" wall panels on the rear wall and the front wall directly behind the speakers.

Just popping back in to say I have purchased everything I need. I bought 288 square feet of OC703 2x4 2" thick panels. It was around $88 for 96 square feet. I thought it was going to cost me more in this area. Don't have quite enough fabric but I told them to give me the whole role (21 yards) at a $1 a yard. I'll just go buy some more when I need it/ they have it. Got the wood for free (for framing this out), pretty sure it's red cedar (didn't ask). Got the wall hangers and got the other hardware needed for assembly. Now: Should I make the bass traps 6" thick and sack some wall treatment or should I stick with the 4" plan I have and do everything in 4" thickness? I had to buy 48 more square feet than I had planned, not that that is a big deal :lol:.

Bump. Just one more question fellas and I think I am set: Should I make the bass traps 6" thick and not do some wall treatment or should I stick with the 4" plan I have and do everything in 4" thickness? To but it more blunt: Four 6'x4'X4" absorbers (corners) with twelve 4'x2'x4" absorbers (2 per wall, 2 above the mix position and 3 in the upper corners of the room behind the mixing position) OR Four 6'x4'x6" absorbers (corners) with nine 4'x2'x4" absorbers (2 per wall on 3 walls, 3 in cieling corners behind mix desk, buy a carpet for floor) Both use all of my 703 in some way. Oh and I promise DIY pics etc...!

GuitarGodgt wrote:

Should I make the bass traps 6" thick and not do some wall treatment or should I stick with the 4" plan I have and do everything in 4" thickness?

Thicker is better for bass traps, but you also need wall treatment. So I guess that leaves you with 4 inches thick. --Ethan

Thanks Ethan, I'll go with 4" then. Pics when it's done and some construction pics as well! :D

Well I have some done (not nearly as much as I had hoped to have done by tonight). I know everyone likes to hear construction details so I will try to remember my digital camera the next time I work on these.