Bass Trap VS Slat Resonator - Combi?

I was on Ethan's site checking out some bass traps like this: http://www.ethanwiner.com/BTPlans.gif and his fiberglass corner traps http://www.ethanwiner.com/acoustics.html#fiberglass%20traps I was considering installing these in the back corners of the control room. However, I also understand the benefit of this corner absorber: http://www.johnlsayers.com/HR/index1.htm I love the wood look of slat resonators, but it's my understanding that Ethan's top example is a traditional genuine bass trap. Would a hybrid solution like this example work almost as well as a bass trap: http://www.cloneensemble.com/basstraps.htm Ideally I'd loke to have the look of John's slat resonator. Can you give me some input? Cheers, Dingo

HI Dingo You're talking about 4 different designs there. I'd not bother with the first one. Other designs will be more effective overall, especially in small rooms. This design is most useful for treating specific problem frequencies once you have most of the room under control. The second design is probably the most cost effective, provided your absorption is at least 4" thick. The third design is quite good as well; it will absorb a narrower band of frequencies, but the frequencies in which it works will see more absorption than the second design. If you design them carefully and do the math so you know which frequencies they work at, they can be extremely effective. THey are also reflective at high frequencies, which can be good, again if you plan the shapes carefully. The fourth design isn't really a hybrid, in that it's not a sealed chamber, so it's not really a slot resonator. It's basically option 2 with some boards in front, so it will reduce the absorption and add some reflection. Though it looks nice, I'm not sure I see the value of that design over option 2 or 3. A fifth design I would consider is superchunks. I have played around with a hybrid design, basically superchunks in the wall/ceiling and wall/floor corners, with a (probably angled) slot resonator in the middle of the wall. Lots of possibilities..... JWL

Hi JWL, I did some research on superchunks - they seem to be really good bang for the buck. I read that the difference between superchunks and the real traps style of corner bass trap is measurable. My question is, is the difference also hearable? Thanks for any input, Dingo

I've not done a side-by-side comparison of Realtraps vs. Superchunks. For that matter, I've never actually seen a Realtrap in the flesh (or in the membrane, as it were....) The superchunks design puts more mass of absorption in the corners, over the 4"-straddling-the-corner design. This means it will absorb more, and to a lower frequency. Not a huge difference, but a difference.

if your room has well distributed modes and is balanced between live and absoptive surfaces, you might not hear a significant difference. otoh, if you have low frequency mode problems, the superchunks may likely help more, and if you have low-mid problems, the realtraps may likely work nicely. slats also work across a variety of problem areas as well as add some diffusiveness and a nice appearance. slats can also shape the space to reduce flutter echos and reflections without making things too dead (something purely absorptive surfaces cannot do easily). best bet is to make some measurements of the space(s) before beginning to decide what treatments will work...

Based on all your input I'm thinking of building realtrap-style bass traps across the two back corners behind the mixing position. Based on the hearable results, I could still add the slats if necesarry at a later date, right? Is there anything I'm missing here, or would this plan of attack be OK? FYI, the room is 2.3m high (7.5ft) and 4.70 x 3.80 x 4.50 x 4.30m all around. See pic - please excuse the quality - my photoshop guru has left the building :oops: Cheers, D.

That's a good start. But to really get your room to perform at its best you will need more than 2 corner traps. I'd do the front corners too, and don't forget about the wall/ceiling or even the wall/floor corners.

Agreed. The plan was just to show the rear traps. Soffits/bass traps are going in the front corners, and 2 clouds aboe the mix poisition. I hadn't planned anything for the walls though... :? Cheers, Dingo