Panel traps unattached from wall possible?

Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2003 6:51 am

Unfortunately,I Rent and can't be boring deep holes into walls to accomodate bass trap panels.Could I possibly just construct the wood panels TWO-SIDED (front and rear) enclosing the various 703 and 705FRK rigid boards airtight and then carefully leaning the completed panels against my walls. Walls are constructed of wall beard.What's gonna get the job done without doing swiss cheese surgery?Thanks a bunch and a perfect answer is always appreciated!

Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2003 12:31 pm

Hi Stan,

> Could I possibly just construct the wood panels TWO-SIDED <

Yes, as long as the back panel is as rigid and massive as possible. If you use 3/4 inch MDF that should work well.

If you have a budget you might consider my company's MiniTraps. They're cost competitive with building your own panel traps, they're much lighter than panel traps and work better, and they're also portable.

--Ethan

Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2003 3:37 pm

Ethan- I know that at some point your company stopped selling the wood panel traps, and you now make the claim that the mini traps are more effective than both homemade panel traps and your company's panel traps.

Given that some of your wood panel traps had a center frequency lower than that of your minis, I am wondering whether there are situations in which you think a panel trap is preferable? Or do you really think that the mini trap is just an across the board better solution?

I was a bit surprised to see that you guys discontinued the panel traps , since they seemed to serve a different purpose than the minis, so I'm just trying to get a feel on your current thinking.

Thanks,

R

Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2003 10:37 pm

Thanks so much Ethan-you just made my day! I am really a total do-it-yourselfer and would enjoy building my own panel traps from scratch to custom fit my room. However when I locate my RFZ I would surely be interested in a couple of minis from your company.

Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2003 11:15 am

RT,

> Given that some of your wood panel traps had a center frequency lower than that of your minis, I am wondering whether there are situations in which you think a panel trap is preferable? <

Only if you need a lot of absorption below 60 Hz - most rooms don't - and are willing to build many very large and deep panel traps.

> do you really think that the mini trap is just an across the board better solution? <

Yes, absolutely. The low-bass type panel trap in my plans has a center frequency of about 100 Hz, which falls off quickly below about 80 Hz. When placed across a corner MiniTraps also peak at about 100 Hz, but their absorption falls off much more gradually. So they're still useful down to about 50 Hz where panel traps are not.

> I was a bit surprised to see that you guys discontinued the panel traps <

Besides the fact that MiniTraps work better than panel traps and are much easier to deal with, the high cost of manufacture was the main reason. The same people who will gladly pay $7,500 for a boutique passive EQ balk at spending half that much on acoustic treatment that greatly improves everything they produce. But it seems they are willing to pay 1/6 that amount.

--Ethan

Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2003 11:17 am

Stan,

> I am really a total do-it-yourselfer <

In that case it makes tons of sense to build traps yourself. I wasn't trying to be a salesman!

--Ethan

Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2003 11:11 pm

Ethan- Very much appreciate your reply. Thanks.

R

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