Bass traps behind bookshelves?

Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2003 12:22 am

Ethan- The rear wall of my control room (retrofitted bedroom) is covered by full bookcases. I need to keep the shelves in the room(no where else for the stuff) and the back wall seems to be the best place because I do get some diffusion. My question is this-I am thinking of building some of your panel traps and placing them behind the shelves. Given that I will modify the design to prevent anything form touching the resonant panel of the trap, how much do you think that the traps will be compromised by sitting behind the bookcases?

thanks,

R

Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2003 4:09 am

RT,

> how much do you think that the traps will be compromised by sitting behind the bookcases? <

The answer depends on how massive and rigid the bookcase is. When loaded with books it'll be even more massive. The real issue is that a large bookcase full of books will probably reflect the low frequencies - just like a wall would - before the waves can get to the traps. So in that case the shelves would be an impediment. An empty bookcase with a thin masonite back would probably let enough bass through to be trapped, but a full one may not.

I wish I could give you a more definitive answer.

--Ethan

Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2003 11:10 am

Just a side thing to do with the bookcase. Don't have the same size books all next to each other, If you mix hardcovers with paperbacks and some blank spaces it will act as a diffuser. Not as good as the real thing, but since it is back there why not make use of it.

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